Scribd
Upload
199 views4 pages

ERT & SRT Technology R0

ERT and SRT are non-destructive geophysical testing methods. ERT uses electrical currents and measurements to map subsurface resistivity variations related to lithology, saturation, and porosity. SRT uses seismic waves to map vertical and lateral changes in subsurface velocities. Both techniques are useful for mineral exploration, hydrogeological studies, archaeology, and infrastructure investigations, and provide information on subsurface conditions to inform construction planning and reduce costs and risks.

Uploaded by

Hareesh R Iyer
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
199 views4 pages

ERT & SRT Technology R0

ERT and SRT are non-destructive geophysical testing methods. ERT uses electrical currents and measurements to map subsurface resistivity variations related to lithology, saturation, and porosity. SRT uses seismic waves to map vertical and lateral changes in subsurface velocities. Both techniques are useful for mineral exploration, hydrogeological studies, archaeology, and infrastructure investigations, and provide information on subsurface conditions to inform construction planning and reduce costs and risks.

Uploaded by

Hareesh R Iyer
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

ERT & SRT TECHNOLOGY

About ERT

Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) is a Non Destructive electrical testing method. In


this method, electric current is induced in the ground using two current electrodes and the
electrical potential drop is then read using two other electrodes. The electrodes are
grounded as arrays depending on site conditions. Readings are influenced by electrical
contact at the surface. Increased electrode array length helps to map increased depths of
interest. Investigation depth can range from a few metres to hundreds of metres.

ERT is widely used in the following situations.

• Mineral prospecting
• Hydrogeological exploration
• Ground water table investigation
• Soil moisture content determination
• Seepages in water retaining structures
• Sea water intrusion
• Salinity estimation
• Environmental investigation
• Content monitoring of process vessels and pipelines
• Archaeological mapping and many more

ERT is often the best option for mapping cavities in earth such as caves, karst etc.

The observed potential differences are converted into sounding curves or pseudo-cross
sections of apparent resistivities. This enables the estimation of underground resistivity
anomalies or outlines the subsurface geological structure. Variations in electrical resistivity
can be correlated with variations in lithology, water saturation, fluid conductivity, porosity,
permeability etc.

Equipment for ERT

The key equipments for conducting ERT survey are Multinode Resistivity Imaging System,
Multicore coaxial cable and the electrodes. The measured resistivities are inverted using
interpretation software for data acquisition based on the client requirements.

The arrangement of electrodes for the ERT survey is called an array. Depending on the site
conditions and desired depth of investigations, the type of array to be used can be selected.
Greater electrode separations yield bulk resistivity measurements from greater depths. A
high data density and good coverage of the earth surface is required for obtaining high-
resolution images of the subsurface targets.

Data Acquisition

The field data is measured vide a data acquisition system comprising the (1) Multinode
Resistivity Imaging System using Syscal R1 Plus, (2) the current and potential electrodes,
and (3) Multicore coaxial cable connecting the electrodes. The electrodes are metallic and
used for inducing current as well as reading the potential drops. Imaging system is Syscal
R1 Plus offering the following features.
• Power Source, Transmitter and Receiver in a Single Compact Unit.
• Fully automatic measurement controlled by a microprocessor.
• Automatic self potential correction, automatic ranging, digital stacking, error display in
case of procedure troubles.
• Display of noise level before measurement.
• Display of ground resistance, current, voltage, self potential and standard
deviation.
• Multi Electrode mode for use with the automatic switching system.
• Storage of data in the internal memory (44,800 reading)
• External data transfer functionalities with USB, SD Card and Serial port.

The acquired data is converted through a process called tomographic inversion, which is
defined as an optimization of data fittingness with regularization of the model. Tomographic
inversion helps to reconstruct the geological model that offers synthetic data matching with
observed data. Data processing is based on an iterative routine involving the determination
of a two-dimensional (2D) simulated model of the subsurface, which is then compared to the
observed data and revised.

True resistivity models are presented as colour contour sections revealing spatial variation in
subsurface resistivity.

Why ERT is necessary?

ERT surveys can be conducted as part of

 preliminary investigations for future constructions


 process monitoring and condition monitoring during construction
 condition/health monitoring of finished structures for maintenance planning and
execution

The ERT surveys provide adequate information of the subsurface site conditions for pre-
planning and modifying construction/technology strategies well before the commencement of
a work. This considerably saves the time, cost and other forms of investments that are prone
to be emaciated.

About SRT

Seismic Refraction Tomography (SRT) uses P- wave (compressive) and S- wave (shear)
energy to map vertical and lateral subsurface changes. A hammer blow shot generates a
shock wave that travels through the ground which is refracted along material boundaries,
and is then received at the surface by sensors called geophones. The length of the
geophone spread should be 4-5 times the depth of interest. Refraction interfaces correlate
with real world boundaries in the ground, such as soil to bedrock boundaries.

SRT is widely used in the following situations.

• Archaeological mapping
• Oil industry
• Exploration of fossil fuels
• Development
• Production etc
• Geological exploration
• Ground water table investigation
• Defining aquifer geometry
• Water seepage inspection
• Hazard identification
• Exploration of natural resources
• Civil Engineering
• Paved surfaces
• Environmental investigation
• Mineral prospecting and many more

SRT survey is one of the best options for mapping cavities such as caves, karst etc.

SRT surveys can lead to the estimation of vertical and lateral variations in soil properties as
well as the depth to, shape of, and physical properties of bedrock. P-wave refraction can be
combined with Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) to estimate elastic
constants including Poisson’s Ratio and Young’s modulus.

Equipment for SRT

The key equipments for conducting SRT survey are Seismograph, Geophones, coaxial
seismic cables and a striking hammer. The seismograph has the following features.

• Multi-channel connectivity up to 24 channels


• Directly operable from Windows based laptop
• 24-bit A/D Conversion
• Dynamic Range: 144 dB (system), 110 dB (instantaneous, measured at 2ms, 24 dB
• Bandwidth: 1.75 Hz to 20 kHz. 0.6 and DC low frequency
• Stacking Trigger Accuracy:1/32 of sample interval
• Low cut, Notch and High cut data acquisition and filtering
• Direct data acquisition using the seismograph software

The seismograph records in a seismogram the waves transmitted from the geophones due
to the ground shaking at specific locations. The seismogram gives a clear graphical picture
of the ground movement plotted against time. A good seismic refraction requires that
velocities increase with the depth of study.

SRT models are presented as colour contour sections revealing spatial variation in
subsurface wave velocities.

Why SRT is necessary?

SRT surveys can be conducted as part of

 preliminary investigations for future constructions


 process monitoring and condition monitoring during construction
 condition/health monitoring of finished structures for maintenance planning and
execution

The SRT surveys provide adequate information of the subsurface site conditions for pre-
planning and modifying construction/technology strategies well before the commencement of
a work. This considerably saves the time, cost and other forms of investments that are prone
to be emaciated.

You might also like