Using resistivity surveying methods for geotechnical study of subsurface properties for foundation design
Keywords:
Subsurface features, Foundation stability, Geotechnical evaluation, Electrical resistivityAbstract
The evaluation of subsurface properties plays a pivotal role in understanding geological formations and assessing their suitability for various engineering and environmental applications. In this work, the subsurface properties of open ground were investigated. Two constant separation traversing (CST) profiles were measured using the Wenner array electrode configuration, with electrode positions ranging from 0 to 150 m depending on the profile, and ten vertical electrical soundings (VESs) were conducted using the Schlumberger array electrode configuration, with half-current electrode separation (AB/2) ranging from 1 to 55 m. The topsoil resistivity ranged from 186.9 to 1222.0 Ω m, with an average of 422.5 Ω m, and its thickness ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 m. The weathered layer showed resistivity values between 13.6 and 70.0 Ω m, with a mean of 29.6 Ω m, thicknesses between 1.4 and 9.9 m, and depths between 1.9 and 10.9 m. These variations in resistivity and layer thickness indicate the presence of weathered and fractured zones that must be taken into account during foundation design.
References
[1] G. E. Omolaiye, A. K. Oniyangi, T. A. Issa & S. B. Adam, ``Subsurface investigation of pre-foundation study utilizing integrated geophysical and geotechnical methods, UNILORIN Campus'', Discover Geoscience 2 (2024) 101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44288-024-00103-4.
[2] T. O. Ewumi, T. T. Ogunseye, A. K. Bello, G. B. Egbeyale & K. H. Adeleke, ``Assessment of groundwater potential of the University of Ibadan Central Mosque, Southwestern, Nigeria'', International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology 10 (2025) 3899. https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25may1830.
[3] J. A. Adegoke, T. T. Ogunseye, G. N. Tsado, A. A. Adefuwa & A. A. Adeleke, ``Hydrogeophysical investigation of groundwater potential in the complex basement of Idu Industrial Area, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria'', Nigerian Journal of Physics 34 (2025) 107. https://njp.nipngr.org/index.php/njp/article/view/353.
[4] A. A. Adetoyinbo, A. K. Bello & F. F. Magi, ``Subsurface characteristics and evaluation of groundwater potential zone of Idi-Ayunre, Southwest, Nigeria'', International Journal of Science Academic Research 4 (2023) 5714. Available online: https://www.scienceijsar.com/sites/default/files/article-pdf/IJSAR-1593_0.pdf.
[5] T. T. Ogunseye, A. K. Bello, K. O. Ozegin & J. N. Akpotor, ``Geochemical soil analysis for groundwater quality at Mokola Area, Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria'', IOSR Journal of Applied Geology and Geophysics 10 (2022) 63. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362629355_Geochemical_Soil_Analysis_for_Groundwater_Quality_at_Mokola_Area_Ibadan_Southwestern_Nigeria.
[6] A. L. Tamunoemi & W. T. J. Godfrey, ``Assessment of geotechnical properties and bearing capacity of subsurface soils for shallow foundation design in Port Harcourt, Nigeria'', International Journal of Engineering Research and Reviews 14 (2026) 49. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18919283.
[7] A. Binley, ``Tools and techniques: electrical methods'', in Treatise on Geophysics, Elsevier Science, Cambridge, MA, USA, 2015, pp. 233--259. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310595311_Tools_and_techniques_electrical_methods
[8] A. M. Rajabi, K. Rasooly & S. M. S. Ghorashi, ``Effect of voids on soil-nailed wall performance: A numerical study'', Geotechnical Research 13 (2025) 1. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgere.24.00054.
[9] J. M. Onsachi, H. M. Yakubu & M. M. Shaibu, ``Geotechnical and geophysical investigation into the causes of cracks in building: Case study of some buildings in School of Engineering, Kogi State Polytechnic, Itakpe Campus, Kogi State, North Central Nigeria'', African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research 1 (2018) 76. Available online: https://abjournals.org/african-journal-of-environment-and-natural-science-research-ajensr/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/journal/published_paper/volume-1/issue-1/AJENSR_nJJk0gpF.pdf.
[10] E. Oborie & E. Akpofure, ``Geotechnical investigation of subsoils for foundation design in Port Harcourt, Nigeria'', Geoscience and Remote Sensing 3 (2020) 17. https://www.clausiuspress.com/article/619.html.
[11] V. Mittal, M. Samanata, R. K. Dash & P. O. Falae, ``Subsurface exploration and investigation of foundation performance for distress assessment of a building'', Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities 37 (2023) 04023002. https://doi.org/10.1061/JPCFEV.CFENG-4187.
[12] A. Pearson, K. Carroll, D. Rucker, P. Tsai & E. Fuchs, ``Electrical resistivity mapping of Lower Rio Grande River--groundwater interactions'', New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute Technical Completion Report No. 045, 2023, pp. 1--56. https://nmwrri.nmsu.edu/publications/technical-reports/tr-documents/tr405.pdf.
[13] W. M. Telford, L. P. Geldart & R. E. Sheriff, Applied Geophysics, 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1991, p. 749. https://www.cambridge.org/highereducation/books/applied-geophysics/FA576F8F33FCA4D56975BC58CE07851E#overview.
[14] J. M. Reynolds, An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics, 2nd ed., Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, United Kingdom, 2011, p. 712. https://www.wiley.com/en-us/shop/general-introductory-earth-sciences/an-introduction-to-applied-and-environmental-geophysics-2nd-edition-p-9780471485353.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2026 Adetoyinbo Adedeji Adegoke, Bello Adekunle Kazeem, Ogunseye Titus Taofik, Egbeyale Babatunde Godwin, Surajudeen Hadi Ademola, Adeleke Ayinla Ayooluwa
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
