Abstract
In this paper, the sensitivity of the electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) method for characterizing the cracking of soils is investigated. Due to the difficulty to produce cracks of known profile, the ERT method was tested by using synthetic soil profiles with known cracks shapes artificially generated. For this, a computer simulation method that allows reproducing the distribution of electric current density and electric potential in a synthetic resistivity profile, where cracks are introduced with specific length parameters and thickness, was developed. The simulation is based on a large rectangular grid of resistors that can be considered as a continuum medium. The electric currents and potential in the circuit is solved iteratively by applying the Kirchoff’s laws of electric circuits. In addition, small-scale experimental tests were performed in the laboratory using a high resolution geoelectric surveys in pots with real cracks. Synthetic and experimental data were processed by software investment DCIP2D (UBCGIF), which uses a method of least squares fit for the model apparent resistivity profile. The obtained results are used to define certain indexes indicating parameters of interest, such as depth, grosos and air volume of detected cracks.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
