DETECTING DESICCATION FISSURES IN ENGINEERING STRUCTURES USING ELECTRICAL METHODS

Abstract

PreviousNext No AccessSymposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems 2013DETECTING DESICCATION FISSURES IN ENGINEERING STRUCTURES USING ELECTRICAL METHODSAuthors: Gareth JonesMarcin ZielinskiPhilippe SentenacGareth Jones University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this author, Marcin Zielinski Texas A&M University, College Station, TexasSearch for more papers by this author, and Philippe Sentenac University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorhttps://doi.org/10.4133/sageep2013-197.1 SectionsAboutPDF/ePub ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Abstract Fissures forming in clayey soil due to desiccation act as pathways for unwanted fluid flow. The presence of such fissures are a cause for concern in several fields and can result in failure of flood defences, as well as act as pathways for contaminant flow and affect irrigation. Detection of these fissures using conventional methods can be hampered by on-site conditions, with vegetation in particular acting to mask fissures on the surface of a structure. Subsurface analysis of any network of fissures is only possible using trenching or sampling, both of which result in damage to the structure in question. Development of non-invasive techniques is required to ensure fissures can be located at the surface and their subsurface characteristics such as depth and interconnection can be analysed. In recent years several studies have successfully used Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) to monitor such fissure development in laboratory studies. The presented study shows how this techniques along with additional Electromagnetic Imaging (EMI) can be used on a flood embankment to show zones of fissuring and how small to miniature scale ERT surveys can characterise surface and subsurface interconnection, allowing potential zones of weakness to be identified. Permalink: https://doi.org/10.4133/sageep2013-197.1FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems 2013ISSN (online):1554-8015Copyright: 2013 Pages: 821 publication data© 2013 Published in electronic format with permission by the Environment and Engineering Geophysical SocietyPublisher:Environmental & Engineering Geophysical Society HistoryPublished Online: 28 May 2013 CITATION INFORMATION Mr. Gareth Jones, Dr. Marcin Zielinski, and Dr. Philippe Sentenac, (2013), "DETECTING DESICCATION FISSURES IN ENGINEERING STRUCTURES USING ELECTRICAL METHODS," Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems Proceedings : 483-488. https://doi.org/10.4133/sageep2013-197.1 Plain-Language Summary PDF DownloadLoading ...