Time-lapse Resistivity Investigations for Imaging Subsurface Grout during Ground Stabilization

Cement-grouts are injected into limestone cavities beneath the road in the project area, in order to improve strength and reduce permeability; the extent to which grout has penetrated in cavities need to be monitored in order to determined effectiveness of cement-grout. Geophysical approaches, offer great potential for monitoring the grout injection process in a fast and cost-effective way as well as showing whether the grout has successfully achieved the target. This paper presents the ability of surface electrical resistivity to investigate the verification of the grout placement. In order to image the cement-grout, time-lapse surface electrical resistivity surveys were conducted to compare electrical resistivity images before and after injection. Cement-grout was imaged as anomalies exhibiting low resistivity than the surrounding rocks. In accordance with field monitoring, laboratory study was also designed to monitor the resistivity changes of cement-grout specimens with time-lapse. Time-lapse laboratory measurements indicated that electrical methods are good tool to identify the grouted zone. Pre-and post grouting electrical images showed significant changes in subsurface resistivity at grouted zone. The study showed that electrical resistivity imaging technology can be a useful tool for detecting and evaluating changes in subsurface resistivity due to the injection of the grout.