VERTICAL ELECTRICAL

SOUNDING
An Introduction
By Suhari
Outline

 Basic Theory
 Electrical Resistivity
 Apparent Resistivity and Configuration
 Acquisition Technique
 Resistivity Earth Material
 Modeling
Electrical Resistivity

 Resistance , V (voltage), I (Current)

 With , ρ(Resistivity), L (Length), A (Area)
 So,

* Bold font, not indication of vector unit

Fall, 2004
 Electrical Resistivity

 Current (I) injected on a surface of earth, it will spread radially.

 Distance between current electrode is very small than radius of Earth, so we can
assume that ground surface is flat.
 Then current spread for half sphere.
 So

Modified after, Todd, 1959

For small distance (dr)
 V measured through potential electrode is
 Electrical Resistivity

 And we can said the Geometric Faktor is

 Then we can rearrange

Modified after, Todd, 1959

 Apparent Resistivity

 In fact, medium on near sub-surface isn’t homogen isotropic.

 Then we cant say as a true resistivity.
 On the other side, resistivity value is dependent of geometrical factor, when we use
some configuration will make different resistivity value.
 So we only say that its just apparent resistivity

Modified after, Todd, 1959

 Configuration

 We can use every configuration for sounding measurement

 But the best configuration for sounding is Schlumberger Configuration
 In Schlumberger Conf. we define a sounding point as a middle of measurement
 And distance between midpoint to current electrode is L and to potential electrode
is l
 So we can rearrange

Modified after, Todd, 1959

 Acquisition Technique

 For Schlumberger Conf. we have two current electrodes C1 (A) and C2 (B),
and two potential electrodes P1(M) and P2 (N).
 Install all equipment as good as possible
 Start by injecting current
 Write on logbook, AB/2, MN/2, K, V, I, R, Rho app, Note.
 Plot Log Rho app Vs Log AB/2
 Increase current electrode distance and measure again, if potential value
reading is very low, increase the current or increase distance of potential
electrode.
Modified after, Todd, 1959
 Write and plot and again.
Resistivity Earth Material
 Modeling

Modified from Eddy, 2012

Fall, 2004