Comportamiento de la resistividad eléctrica de los suelos ante variaciones de humedad y grado de compactación

Abstract

Determining the characteristics and properties of the soil is essential in the design and construction of all civil works. This study has proposed to investigate the electrical resistivity technique as a tool for determining soil/ground properties, considering that are fast, non-destructive and adequate cost, compared to conventional methods. Using an experimental test soil resistivity was measured using a resistivimeter which gives continuous current and supplying a plastic device development itself, consisting of a cylinder [L=100cm y Ø = 16cm]and PVC caps for measurements conducted six holes, spaced every 15 cm. In this study several relationships between the resistivity (ρ) and the geotechnical properties of the soil, such as: The particle size, void ratio, porosity and Atterbeg’s limits (LL, LP and IP) in situ testing, were identified. Meanwhile, in laboratory tests, several correlations were established with different moisture contents (w) and specific weight(γ), and loose compact under conditions and in total 44 resistivity measurements, were made. Increasing the amount of water and energy compaction caused a decrease in the electrical resistivity of the soil/ground, a strong relationship among these parameters was presented clearly (ρα 1/w; ρα 1/γ), by a potential function. Furthermore, resistivities were determined as optimal control parameters field measurements: for high plasticity clay (CH: ρ = 20 Ωm), followed by sandy loam soil (SM: ρ = 13 Ωm) and finally the silt of low plasticity (ML: ρ = 7 Ωm). The soil resistivity has proven to be a good predictor of various properties of the soil/ground.