Two-Dimensional Soil Erosion Profile Using Electrical Resistivity Surveys

Abstract

Various soil characteristics that affect the erosion of soil also influence in situ bulk electrical resistivity measurements. The objective of this study was to develop two dimensional soil erosion profiles correlating the in situ electrical resistivity of soil with the erodibility measurements from the Kansas State University erosion function apparatus (KSU-EFA). Electrical resistivity surveys were conducted at ten bridge sites. Five samples were collected at each site and tested in the KSU-EFA. Erosion potential profiles were created using the subsurface electrical resistivity distributions. This study showed that the rapid in situ data obtained from an electrical resistivity survey can predict the presence of highly erosive soils. As such, electrical resistivity surveys may be used to identify where further testing is necessary to measure the scour potential or determine which existing bridges should be closed or closely monitored for scour potential during a flood event.