Lecture 5 Electric Methods-1
Lecture 5 Electric Methods-1
Lecture 5 Electric Methods-1
Lecture 5
Introduction
• Electrical resistivity method is based on the difference in the electrical
conductivity or the electrical resistivity of subsurface materials.
𝐸
𝜌=
𝑗
• Resistivity is one of the most variable physical properties.
• Metamorphic Rocks
• Hydrous minerals and fabrics
• Sedimentary Rocks
• Abundant pore space and fluids
Lowest
• Clay: super low resistivity
• Younger Rocks
Lowest • Why? Abundant fractures and/or pore
space
Survey strategies and
interpretation
Equipment's for resistivity field work
• The necessary components for making resistivity
measurements include:
• Power source
• Meter for measuring current and voltage (which may be combined
in one meter to read resistance)
• Electrodes
• Current electrodes
• Potential electrodes
• Cables
• Reels.
Measurement Systems
Transmitter
• Power Supply
– DC
– AC (more common)
• Ammeter
• Metal electrodes
Receiver
• Voltmeter
• Metal Electrodes
Potential in a homogeneous medium Battery
equipotential
𝜌𝐼 𝜌𝐼
• 𝑉𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 = and 𝑉𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑘 =
2𝜋𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 2𝜋𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑘
• Total voltage at P:
𝜌𝐼 1 1
𝑉𝑃 = 𝑉𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 − 𝑉𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑘 = −
2𝜋 𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑘
Measurement Practicalities
• It is inconvenient to measure potential at single point unless the
other end of our volt meter is at infinity.
• It is easier to measure potential difference (∆𝑉).
• This lead to use of four electrode array for each measurement
• Resulting measurement
given as:
𝜌𝐼 1 1 1 1
∆𝑉 = 𝑉𝑃1 − 𝑉𝑃2 = − − +
2𝜋 𝑟1 𝑟2 𝑟3 𝑟4
2V
a =
IG
• In general, all field data are apparent resistivity. They are interpret
ed to obtain the true resistivities of the layers in the ground.
Electrode configurations
There are three main types
of electrode configuration in
common use
• Wenner arrays
• Schlumberger array
• Dipole-dipole arrays
Geometrical factors
Array advantages and disadvantages
Geologic variations on the
resistivity measurements
Uniform half-space
AB/2=5, MN/2=1
Data Table
Data Table
a,m R ρa
AB/2 R ρa
1
1.5
2
2
3
3
4
4
ρa Field Curve ρa Field Curve
a,m AB/2
Electrical horizontal profiling (mapping or trenching)
• Lateral changes in resistivity can be effectively mapped using
electrical profiling.
• Can use similar arrays to VES
• Patterns vary depending on what array is used
• Patterns are complicated because electrodes may be in zones of
different properties.
• Usually involves moving an electrode array of constant
separation horizontally along surface.
• The two most common arrays for electrical resistivity surveying
in the profiling mode are the Wenner and dipole-dipole arrays.
Multielectrode Systems
• Soundings and mappings are very time consuming.
• Therefore multielectrode systems are developed. Typically 50
electrodes are laid out in two strings of 25 electrodes, with
electrodes connected by a multi core cable to a switching box and
resistance meter. The whole data acquisition procedure is software
controlled from a laptop computer.
• Increase electrode separation as well as make measurements at multiple
locations along the horizontal axis.
• Provides data for two dimensional interpretation of subsurface.
Field Considerations for DC Resistivity
• Good electrode contact with the earth
• Wet electrode location
• Add NaCl solution or bentonite.
2. Telluric Currents