Geotechnical Insights via Electrical Resistivity Imaging of Fault Zones
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21467/proceedings.7.7.6Abstract
Hong Kong's unique topography, dense population, and lithology necessitate constructing and stabilizing numerous large-scale geoengineering projects, such as tunnels or rock slopes. The rock mass deformation modulus is essential for evaluating the bearing capacity and deformations. Deformation moduli measured through laboratory experiments, empirical equations, or even in situ tests can not present a representative elementary volume (DREV) due to limited test coverage and technical difficulties in harsh geological or topographic conditions, such as near faults. This study utilized electrical resistivity (ER) tomography and numerical back-analysis to investigate DREV near faults; we also employed geoelectrical contrasts to detect proper locations for installing extensometers along excavated galleries of rock slopes. The deformations recorded by extensometers were used to back-calculate the DREV values by finite difference numerical modeling. We established a correlation between ER and DREV, which was 30 to 80% more accurate than those obtained through conventional approaches. Our methodology provides a systematic approach to assess faulted rock mass behavior for various geoengineering projects, which is also replicable for other geological formations with harsh geology or limited access without exposing an extreme financial burden, technical challenges, or environmental issues.
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