Electrical Resistivity Imaging of Laboratory Soilcrete Column Geometry

Abstract

Ground improvement via jet grouting is commonly used to strengthen weak ground and/or create hydraulic barriers. Delivering soilcrete columns with tightly controlled and known diameters is critical to performance; however, techniques to assess jet grout geometry during construction are lacking. This paper reports the results of a study on electrical resistivity imaging of soilcrete by investigating the effects of electrode configuration and electrical protocol type on laboratory scale soilcrete columns constructed in a tank filled with sand. Experimental results are verified via numerical modeling and the model is used to analyze the changes in soilcrete resistivity that result from geometric variation. The results of this study indicate that resistivity imaging with direct contact electrodes can estimate the diameter of laboratory scale jet grout columns to within