Using 2-D electrical resistivity imaging for joint geophysical and geotechnical characterization of shallow landslides

Matthew M. Crawford; L. Sebastian Bryson; Edward W. Woolery; Zhenming Wang

doi:10.1016/j.jappgeo.2018.06.009

Using 2-D electrical resistivity imaging for joint geophysical and geotechnical characterization of shallow landslides

Matthew M. Crawford, L. Sebastian Bryson, Edward W. Woolery, Zhenming Wang

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

Electrical resistivity has become an increasingly popular technique for landslide investigations, providing insight into landslide type, location of the failure zone, differentiating soil and bedrock interfaces, and identifying areas of excess moisture. Using electrical resistivity as a tool to assess geotechnical properties of the landslide mass is often underutilized, however. Geophysical and geotechnical data sets for landslide investigations are commonly acquired independently in order to answer different questions. The non-unique solutions to electrical resistivity measurements are rarely correlated with geotechnical properties, such as water potential and shear strength. This study presents electrical resistivity data collected at two shallow colluvial landslides in Kentucky. A field-based framework was developed using modified soil-water characteristic curves and in-situ electrical conductivity measurements that allows 2-D electrical resistivity measurements to be a predictor of shear strength. The methodology incorporates in-situ field measurements of volumetric water content, water potential, and electrical conductivity within a framework to demonstrate that surface electrical resistivity can be used to highlight strength throughout the slope.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	37-46
Number of pages	10
Journal	Journal of Applied Geophysics
Volume	157
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2018.06.009
State	Published - Oct 2018

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank Francis Ashland of the U.S. Geological Survey Landslide Hazards Program for field assistance, instrumentation contribution, and technical advice. The University of Kentucky Earth and Environmental Sciences Department faculty, staff, and several graduate students who helped with field work and technical advice. Special thanks to the Environmental Sciences Department Ferm Fund for purchasing the time-lapse ER software module. We would like to thank Junfeng Zhu of the Kentucky Geological Survey for technical advice. The Kentucky Geological Survey provided additional financial support.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Elsevier B.V.

Keywords

ERT
Electrical resistivity
Geophysics
Landslide
Shear strength
Soil mechanics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Geophysics

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10.1016/j.jappgeo.2018.06.009

Cite this

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title = "Using 2-D electrical resistivity imaging for joint geophysical and geotechnical characterization of shallow landslides",

abstract = "Electrical resistivity has become an increasingly popular technique for landslide investigations, providing insight into landslide type, location of the failure zone, differentiating soil and bedrock interfaces, and identifying areas of excess moisture. Using electrical resistivity as a tool to assess geotechnical properties of the landslide mass is often underutilized, however. Geophysical and geotechnical data sets for landslide investigations are commonly acquired independently in order to answer different questions. The non-unique solutions to electrical resistivity measurements are rarely correlated with geotechnical properties, such as water potential and shear strength. This study presents electrical resistivity data collected at two shallow colluvial landslides in Kentucky. A field-based framework was developed using modified soil-water characteristic curves and in-situ electrical conductivity measurements that allows 2-D electrical resistivity measurements to be a predictor of shear strength. The methodology incorporates in-situ field measurements of volumetric water content, water potential, and electrical conductivity within a framework to demonstrate that surface electrical resistivity can be used to highlight strength throughout the slope.",

keywords = "ERT, Electrical resistivity, Geophysics, Landslide, Shear strength, Soil mechanics",

author = "Crawford, {Matthew M.} and Bryson, {L. Sebastian} and Woolery, {Edward W.} and Zhenming Wang",

note = "Funding Information: The authors would like to thank Francis Ashland of the U.S. Geological Survey Landslide Hazards Program for field assistance, instrumentation contribution, and technical advice. The University of Kentucky Earth and Environmental Sciences Department faculty, staff, and several graduate students who helped with field work and technical advice. Special thanks to the Environmental Sciences Department Ferm Fund for purchasing the time-lapse ER software module. We would like to thank Junfeng Zhu of the Kentucky Geological Survey for technical advice. The Kentucky Geological Survey provided additional financial support. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2018 Elsevier B.V.",

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doi = "10.1016/j.jappgeo.2018.06.009",

language = "English",

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pages = "37--46",

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AU - Crawford, Matthew M.

AU - Bryson, L. Sebastian

AU - Woolery, Edward W.

AU - Wang, Zhenming

N1 - Funding Information: The authors would like to thank Francis Ashland of the U.S. Geological Survey Landslide Hazards Program for field assistance, instrumentation contribution, and technical advice. The University of Kentucky Earth and Environmental Sciences Department faculty, staff, and several graduate students who helped with field work and technical advice. Special thanks to the Environmental Sciences Department Ferm Fund for purchasing the time-lapse ER software module. We would like to thank Junfeng Zhu of the Kentucky Geological Survey for technical advice. The Kentucky Geological Survey provided additional financial support. Publisher Copyright: © 2018 Elsevier B.V.

PY - 2018/10

Y1 - 2018/10

N2 - Electrical resistivity has become an increasingly popular technique for landslide investigations, providing insight into landslide type, location of the failure zone, differentiating soil and bedrock interfaces, and identifying areas of excess moisture. Using electrical resistivity as a tool to assess geotechnical properties of the landslide mass is often underutilized, however. Geophysical and geotechnical data sets for landslide investigations are commonly acquired independently in order to answer different questions. The non-unique solutions to electrical resistivity measurements are rarely correlated with geotechnical properties, such as water potential and shear strength. This study presents electrical resistivity data collected at two shallow colluvial landslides in Kentucky. A field-based framework was developed using modified soil-water characteristic curves and in-situ electrical conductivity measurements that allows 2-D electrical resistivity measurements to be a predictor of shear strength. The methodology incorporates in-situ field measurements of volumetric water content, water potential, and electrical conductivity within a framework to demonstrate that surface electrical resistivity can be used to highlight strength throughout the slope.

AB - Electrical resistivity has become an increasingly popular technique for landslide investigations, providing insight into landslide type, location of the failure zone, differentiating soil and bedrock interfaces, and identifying areas of excess moisture. Using electrical resistivity as a tool to assess geotechnical properties of the landslide mass is often underutilized, however. Geophysical and geotechnical data sets for landslide investigations are commonly acquired independently in order to answer different questions. The non-unique solutions to electrical resistivity measurements are rarely correlated with geotechnical properties, such as water potential and shear strength. This study presents electrical resistivity data collected at two shallow colluvial landslides in Kentucky. A field-based framework was developed using modified soil-water characteristic curves and in-situ electrical conductivity measurements that allows 2-D electrical resistivity measurements to be a predictor of shear strength. The methodology incorporates in-situ field measurements of volumetric water content, water potential, and electrical conductivity within a framework to demonstrate that surface electrical resistivity can be used to highlight strength throughout the slope.

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KW - Shear strength

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ER -

Using 2-D electrical resistivity imaging for joint geophysical and geotechnical characterization of shallow landslides

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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