2020

METHOD STATEMENT

FOR

EARTH RESISTIVITY TEST

 IDAX CONSULTING & RESEARCH PVT. LTD.

1. INTRODUCTION:
The Earth Resistivity Test (ERT) of soil was carried out at site for EARTH
RESISTIVITY TEST WORK AT SITE. with the aim to determine an average value of
electrical resistivity of soil for design of safe earthing system.

2. PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION:
The purpose of this investigation is to determine an average value of electrical
resistivity of subsurface for design of safe earthing system with the help of
Microprocessor based electrical resistivity meter.

3. GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION:
Geophysical investigation was carried out as per IS: 3043-1987 on the basis of Earth
Resistivity meter. Wenner’s four-electrode method is used to determine the earth
resistivity.

4. WENNER’S CONFIGURATION:
This is one of the most commonly used arrays proposed by Wenner in 1916. Four
electrodes A, B, M, and N are placed at the surface of the ground along a straight
symmetrically about a point O. The observation point in such a way that the distance
between AM = MN =NB = a., Where ‘a’ is called electrode separation see fig. 1.
Current ‘I’ is sent generally through outer electrodes A and B and the potential
difference (V) is measured between M and N. The instrument multiplication factor is f.

Electrode shall be driven in to the earth to a depth ‘B’. The depth ‘B’ should be ideally less
than 1/20 of spacing ‘A’.

Apparent Resistivity, = 2aR (As per IS: 3043 – 1987, Clause No. : 36.3.1.2)

A M N B
a a a

METHOD STATEMENT FOR EARTH RESISTIVITY TEST

 IDAX CONSULTING & RESEARCH PVT. LTD.

5. Survey Procedure:
Resistivity sounding is used to make investigations along the depth. In this method
the center of configuration is kept fixed and measurements are made by successively
increasing electrode spacing. The apparent resistivity values obtained with increasing
values of electrode separations are used to estimate the thickness and resistivity of
the subsurface formations. In Wenner’s configuration all the four electrodes are
arranged in a line at a equal distance ‘a’ between the consecutive electrodes.
Measurements were taken at 1m,2m,3m,5m & 10m. Current is sent through the
outer electrodes and the potential difference is measured between the inner
electrodes. The Resistance (R = V/I) is measured for each electrode separation and
apparent resistivity is calculated by multiplying value of ‘R’ with Wenner configuration
factor (2a), where ‘a’ is the uniform distance between the electrodes. The
computation of the sounding data is discussed in the subsequent section.

6. Computation of Earth Resistivity:

When the earth resistivity readings for different electrode spacing in a direction are
within 20 to 30%, the soil is considered to be uniform. When the spacing is increased
gradually from low values, at a stage, it may be found that the resistivity readings are
more or less constant irrespective of the increase in the electrode spacing. The
resistivity for this spacing is noted and taken as the resistivity for that direction. In a
similar manner, resistivity for at least one equally spaced direction from the center of
the site are measured. These resistivity are plotted in a graph sheet in the appropriate
directions choosing a scale. A closed curve is plotted on the graph sheets jointing all
the resistivity points plotted to get the polar resistivity curve. The area inside the polar
resistivity curve is measured and equivalent circle of the same area is found out. The
radius of this equivalent circle is the average resistivity of the site under consideration.
The average resistivity thus obtained may be used for the design of the earthing grid
at that particular depth.

METHOD STATEMENT FOR EARTH RESISTIVITY TEST

 IDAX CONSULTING & RESEARCH PVT. LTD.

METHOD STATEMENT FOR EARTH RESISTIVITY TEST

 IDAX CONSULTING & RESEARCH PVT. LTD.

7. SAMPLE TEST REPORT

METHOD STATEMENT FOR EARTH RESISTIVITY TEST

 IDAX CONSULTING & RESEARCH PVT. LTD.

METHOD STATEMENT FOR EARTH RESISTIVITY TEST

 IDAX CONSULTING & RESEARCH PVT. LTD.

METHOD STATEMENT FOR EARTH RESISTIVITY TEST

 IDAX CONSULTING & RESEARCH PVT. LTD.

METHOD STATEMENT FOR EARTH RESISTIVITY TEST

 IDAX CONSULTING & RESEARCH PVT. LTD.

8. PHOTOGRAPHS

METHOD STATEMENT FOR EARTH RESISTIVITY TEST