Resistivity Method

All resistivity methods use an artificial source of current. Current is passed into the
ground with a pair of metallic electrode and resulting potential difference is measured
with another pair of electrodes. Either potential difference and current is measured
individually by the instrument, or it directly gives the apparent resistance, which is
converted into apparent resistivity. The computed apparent resistivity (data) is
interpreted in terms of actual resistivity distribution in the subsurface, both in vertical
and lateral directions. Interpreted actual resistivity is then correlated with local
geology to arrive at meaningful geological interpretation having economic importance.

Resistivity method is superior than other electrical methods (SP, IP, etc) because good
quantitative results can be obtained with this method.

The drawback of the resistivity methods is its sensitivity of minor variation of electrical
conductivity in the near surface. Presence of small conducting objects, power line
cable, utility lines severally affects the electrical resistivity observations.
Further depth of penetration depends on distance between current electrodes, thus
dragging long cables in the field is often problematic and requires appropriate
personal to handle long cables.

Potential in Homogeneous media

In a homogeneous isotropic medium (conductivity ) the electric current density (J)

and electric field E are governed by Ohm’s law
𝐽 = 𝜎𝐸
Since electric field is negative gradient of scale potential(V)
𝐸 = −∇𝑉
Thus 𝐽 = −𝜎∇𝑉
If the electric charge is conserved within a volume enclosed by a surface A then

න 𝐽 . 𝑑𝐴 = 0
𝐴
Gauss theorem states that volume integral of the divergence of current density
throughout a given region is equal to the total charge enclosed by the surface

න (∇. 𝐽) 𝑑𝑣 = න 𝐽. 𝑑𝐴 = 0
𝑉 𝐴

∇. 𝐽 = −∇. 𝜎∇𝑉 = 0

∇𝜎∇𝑉 + 𝜎∇2 𝑉 = 0

Since ∇𝜎=0 for small elementary volume of constant conductivity 𝜎. Hence

∇2 𝑉 = 0

This is Laplace equation and states that electrical potential satisfy Laplace
equation and hence it is harmonic in nature and can have positive and negative
values.
Boundary conditions

i) Potential must be continuous across boundary

𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉
𝑉1 = 𝑉2 ; or = ; 𝐸1𝑡 = 𝐸2𝑡 near the interface
𝜕𝑥 1 𝜕𝑥 2
Tangential component of electric field in medium 1 is equal to tangential component of
electric field in medium 2, very near to interface

ii) Normal component of current density or transverse component of electric is also

continuous across the interface

𝐽1𝑛 = 𝐽2𝑛

𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉
𝜎1 = 𝜎2
𝜕𝑧 1 𝜕𝑧 2
Potential due to a single current electrode placed at depth in a homogeneous
medium
Current flow will be radially outward from C1 and equipotential surface will be
spherical. Potential will follow spherical symmetry and from the symmetry of the
system, potential will be function of distance r from the current source. Thus
V(r,,)will reduce to V(r) only
 1 𝜕 𝜕𝑉 1 𝜕 𝜕𝑉 1 𝜕 𝜕2 𝑉
∇2 𝑉 = 𝑟 2 𝜕𝑟 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝜕𝜃 + =0
𝑟 2 𝜕𝑟 𝑟 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 𝜕𝜃 𝑟 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝜃 2

The Laplace equation with spherical symmetry can be written as

1 𝜕 𝜕𝑉
∇2 𝑉 = 𝑟2 =0
𝑟 2 𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑟

𝜕 𝜕𝑉
𝑟 2 𝜕𝑟 =0
𝜕𝑟

Integrating
𝑑𝑉
𝑟 2 𝑑𝑟 = A, where A is integration constant
𝑑𝑉 𝐴
=
𝑑𝑟 𝑟 2
Integrating again
𝐴
𝑉 𝑟 =− +𝐵
𝑟
Where B is another constant

Now putting boundary condition, when r →, V→0 (physically)

Thus B=0, and

𝐴
𝑉 𝑟 =−
𝑟
Since current flow radially outward in all directions from the point electrode, thus
Total current
𝐼 = 𝐽. 4𝜋𝑟 2
𝑑𝑉
𝐼 = −𝜎 𝑑𝑟 . 4𝜋𝑟 2

𝑑𝑉
Now using 𝑟 2 𝑑𝑟 = A from previous relations

𝐼 = −𝜎. 4𝜋𝐴

𝜌𝐼
Or 𝐴 = −
4𝜋

Or final solution for potential

𝜌𝐼 1
𝑉(𝑟) =
4𝜋 𝑟
Potential due to a single current electrode placed at surface in a homogeneous medium

𝜌𝐼 1
Or final solution for potential 𝑉(𝑟) =
2𝜋 𝑟
Potential difference due to a pair of current and potential electrodes

C1(+I) P1 P2 C2 (-I)

r1 r2
r3 r4

Potential at P1 due to C1 and C2 will be

𝜌𝐼 1 𝜌𝐼 1
𝑉𝑃1 = −
2𝜋 𝑟1 2𝜋 𝑟2

Potential at P2 due to C1 and C2 will be

𝜌𝐼 1 𝜌𝐼 1
𝑉𝑃2 = −
2𝜋 𝑟3 2𝜋 𝑟4

𝜌𝐼 1 𝜌𝐼 1 𝜌𝐼 1 𝜌𝐼 1
Potential difference 𝑉𝑃1 − 𝑉𝑃2 = ∆𝑉 = 2𝜋 𝑟 − 2𝜋 𝑟 - 2𝜋 𝑟3
+ 2𝜋 𝑟
1 2 4
 𝜌𝐼 1 1 1 1
∆𝑉 = ( − - + )
2𝜋 𝑟1 𝑟2 𝑟3 𝑟4

2𝜋 ∆𝑉
𝜌=
1 1 1 1 𝐼
− − −
𝑟1 𝑟2 𝑟3 𝑟4

For inhomogeneous ground

2𝜋 ∆𝑉
𝜌 = 𝜌𝑎 =
1 1 1 1 𝐼
− − −
𝑟1 𝑟2 𝑟3 𝑟4