ASTM D6431-99(2005)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Using the Direct Current Resistivity Method for Subsurface Investigation
Standard Guide for Using the Direct Current Resistivity Method for Subsurface Investigation
SCOPE
1.1 Purpose and Application
1.1.1 This guide summarizes the equipment, field procedures, and interpretation methods for the assessment of the electrical properties of subsurface materials and their pore fluids, using the direct current (DC) resistivity method. Measurements of the electrical properties of subsurface materials are made from the land surface and yield an apparent resistivity. These data can then be interpreted to yield an estimate of the depth, thickness, and resistivity of subsurface layer(s).
1.1.2 Resistivity measurements as described in this guide are applied in geological, geotechnical, environmental, and hydrologic investigations. The resistivity method is used to map geologic features such as lithology, structure, fractures, and stratigraphy; hydrologic features such as depth to water table, depth to aquitard, and ground water salinity; and to delineate ground water contaminants. General references are, Keller and Frischknecht (), Zohdy et al (), Koefoed (), EPA(), Ward (), Griffiths and King (), and Telford et al ().
1.2 Limitations
1.2.1 This guide provides an overview of the Direct Current Resistivity Method. It does not address in detail the theory, field procedures, or interpretation of the data. Numerous references are included for that purpose and are considered an essential part of this guide. It is recommended that the user of the resistivity method be familiar with the references cited in the text and with the Guide D 420, Practice D 5088, Practice D 5608, Guide D 5730, Test Method G 57, D 6429, and D 6235.
1.2.2 This guide is limited to the commonly used approach for resistivity measurements using sounding and profiling techniques with the Schlumberger, Wenner, or dipole-dipole arrays and modifications to those arrays. It does not cover the use of a wide range of specialized arrays. It also does not include the use of spontaneous potential (SP) measurements, induced polarization (IP) measurements, or complex resistivity methods.
1.2.3 The resistivity method has been adapted for a number of special uses, on land, within a borehole, or on water. Discussions of these adaptations of resistivity measurements are not included in this guide.
1.2.4 The approaches suggested in this guide for the resistivity method are the most commonly used, widely accepted and proven; however, other approaches or modifications to the resistivity method that are technically sound may be substituted if technically justified and documented.
1.2.5 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgements. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word "Standard" in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.
1.3 Precautions
1.3.1 It is the responsibility of the user of this guide to follow any precautions in the equipment manufacturer's recommendations and to consider the safety implications when high voltages and currents are used.
1.3.2 If this guide is used at sites with hazardous materials, operations, or equipment, it is the responsibility of the user of this guide to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulations prior to use.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D6431 – 99 (Reapproved 2005)
Standard Guide for
Using the Direct Current Resistivity Method for Subsurface
1
Investigation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6431; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope the resistivity method be familiar with the references cited in
the text and with the Guide D420, Practice D5088, Practice
1.1 Purpose and Application:
D5608, Guide D5730, Test Method G57, D6429, and D6235.
1.1.1 This guide summarizes the equipment, field proce-
1.2.2 This guide is limited to the commonly used approach
dures, and interpretation methods for the assessment of the
for resistivity measurements using sounding and profiling
electrical properties of subsurface materials and their pore
techniques with the Schlumberger, Wenner, or dipole-dipole
fluids, using the direct current (DC) resistivity method. Mea-
arrays and modifications to those arrays. It does not cover the
surements of the electrical properties of subsurface materials
use of a wide range of specialized arrays. It also does not
are made from the land surface and yield an apparent resistiv-
include the use of spontaneous potential (SP) measurements,
ity. These data can then be interpreted to yield an estimate of
induced polarization (IP) measurements, or complex resistivity
the depth, thickness, and resistivity of subsurface layer(s).
methods.
1.1.2 Resistivity measurements as described in this guide
1.2.3 The resistivity method has been adapted for a number
are applied in geological, geotechnical, environmental, and
of special uses, on land, within a borehole, or on water.
hydrologic investigations. The resistivity method is used to
Discussions of these adaptations of resistivity measurements
map geologic features such as lithology, structure, fractures,
are not included in this guide.
and stratigraphy; hydrologic features such as depth to water
1.2.4 The approaches suggested in this guide for the resis-
table, depth to aquitard, and ground water salinity; and to
tivity method are the most commonly used, widely accepted
delineate ground water contaminants. General references are,
2
and proven; however, other approaches or modifications to the
Keller and Frischknecht (1), Zohdy et al (2), Koefoed (3),
resistivitymethodthataretechnicallysoundmaybesubstituted
EPA(4),Ward (5), Griffiths and King (6), andTelford et al (7).
if technically justified and documented.
1.2 Limitations:
1.2.5 This guide offers an organized collection of informa-
1.2.1 This guide provides an overview of the Direct Current
tion or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
Resistivity Method. It does not address in detail the theory,
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
field procedures, or interpretation of the data. Numerous
experienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithprofessional
references are included for that purpose and are considered an
judgements. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in
essential part of this guide. It is recommended that the user of
all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to
represent or replace the standard of care by which the
1
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoilandRock
adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and Subsurface
should this document be applied without consideration of a
Characterization.
project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the
Current edition approved May 1, 2005. Published September 2005. Originally
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as D6431–99. DOI:
title of this document means only that the document has been
10.1520/D6431-99R05.
approved through the ASTM consensus process.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
1.3 Precautions:
this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6431 – 99 (2005)
1.3.1 It is the responsibility of the user of this guide to 4. Summary of Guide
follow any precautions in the equipment manufacturer’s rec-
4.1 Summary—The measurement of electrical resistivity
ommendations and to consider the safety implications when
requires that four electrodes be placed in contact with the
high voltages and currents are used.
surface materials (Fig. 1). The geometry and separation of the
1.3.2 If this guide is used at sites with hazardous materials,
electrode array are selected o
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.