USE OF SEISMIC REFRACTION AND ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY SURVEYS IN LANDSLIDE INVESTIGATIONS

Combined seismic refraction (SR) and electrical resistivity (er) surveys were used successfully to locate the depth of the rupture surface in three separate landslides. The landslides were block-glides composed of the same rock types as the underlying bedrock (fractured, thin, interbedded soft claystones and sandstones). The geophysical surveys supplemented shallow boreholes to extend the subsurface data to greater depths. Both sets of geophysical data indicated three layers which correlated with unsaturated landslide materials, saturated landslide materials, and unsaturated in-place bedrock. The different SR and er properties between the landslide and bedrock were interpreted as being caused by more extensive fracturing of the rocks in the slide mass compared to the bedrock. The contact between the landslide and bedrock was interpreted geophysically to be between 90 and 95 ft below the surface. Subsequent deep drilling and geologic logging identified the rupture surface at 96 ft below the surface.(a)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00045691
• Authors:
  • Cummings, D
  • Clark, B R
• Publication Date: 1988-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 459-64
• Serial:
  • BULLETIN OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGI
  • Volume: 25
  • Issue Number: 4
  • ISSN: 0004-5691

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Detection and identification; Detectors; Electrical resistance; Failure; Landslides; Methodology; Refraction; Rocks; Seismicity; Slope stability
• Uncontrolled Terms: Site investigation
• ITRD Terms: 9115: Detection; 5520: Failure; 4029: Landslide; 9102: Method; 6788: Refraction; 6916: Resistance (electr); 4154: Rock; 5731: Seismic; 5722: Site investigation; 5783: Slope stability
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00483497
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1989 12:00AM