Estimation of Geotechnical Parameters for Coal Exploration from Quasi-3D Electrical Resistivity Measurements
Geotechnical parameters are crucial for mine planning and operation at different stages of development. However, estimating these parameters requires a large number of boreholes and subsequent detailed analysis of the samples, making it a cumbersome exercise. Moreover, even after conducting these st...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/14/1/102 |
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| author | Rupesh Rupesh Prarabdh Tiwari Shashi Prakash Sharma |
| author_facet | Rupesh Rupesh Prarabdh Tiwari Shashi Prakash Sharma |
| author_sort | Rupesh Rupesh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Geotechnical parameters are crucial for mine planning and operation at different stages of development. However, estimating these parameters requires a large number of boreholes and subsequent detailed analysis of the samples, making it a cumbersome exercise. Moreover, even after conducting these studies, it is not possible to cover the entire operational area. To address this issue, this study presents an indirect method of estimating geotechnical parameters through mathematical relations using resistivity data. The present study incorporated 2D and 3D subsurface imaging techniques for exploring coal reserves and analyzing geotechnical parameters that define subsurface soil properties. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) was utilized for data acquisition, employing a Dipole–dipole array with a multielectrode ABEM Terrameter LS instrument. Six parallel profiles were conducted, each 400 m in length, with an inter-electrode spacing of 10 m and a spacing of 50 m between profiles. These profiles were combined into a 3D dataset referred to as quasi-3D ERT. The inversion process for both 2D and 3D data was performed using the Res2dinv and Res3dinv programs, respectively. This study overcame the challenges of 2D resistivity sections by evaluating horizontal depth slices in the x-z plane from layers 1 to 10, reaching a depth of 81.2 m. The geotechnical parameters, including cohesion, friction angle, moisture content, and plastic index, were derived from the resistivity data. The ERT method proved to be cost-effective and efficient in determining soil properties over a large area compared with traditional laboratory analysis of borehole samples. Additionally, the variation of geotechnical parameters with resistivity values exhibited unique characteristics. The results from both the 2D and quasi-3D ERT were well correlated with the borehole data. Such studies are valuable for resource exploration and mine planning purposes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:39:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1a0329b3b04946b3917dfebfe04b8acb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:39:03Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
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| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-1a0329b3b04946b3917dfebfe04b8acb2024-01-26T17:53:01ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2024-01-0114110210.3390/min14010102Estimation of Geotechnical Parameters for Coal Exploration from Quasi-3D Electrical Resistivity MeasurementsRupesh Rupesh0Prarabdh Tiwari1Shashi Prakash Sharma2Department of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, IndiaDepartment of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, IndiaDepartment of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, IndiaGeotechnical parameters are crucial for mine planning and operation at different stages of development. However, estimating these parameters requires a large number of boreholes and subsequent detailed analysis of the samples, making it a cumbersome exercise. Moreover, even after conducting these studies, it is not possible to cover the entire operational area. To address this issue, this study presents an indirect method of estimating geotechnical parameters through mathematical relations using resistivity data. The present study incorporated 2D and 3D subsurface imaging techniques for exploring coal reserves and analyzing geotechnical parameters that define subsurface soil properties. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) was utilized for data acquisition, employing a Dipole–dipole array with a multielectrode ABEM Terrameter LS instrument. Six parallel profiles were conducted, each 400 m in length, with an inter-electrode spacing of 10 m and a spacing of 50 m between profiles. These profiles were combined into a 3D dataset referred to as quasi-3D ERT. The inversion process for both 2D and 3D data was performed using the Res2dinv and Res3dinv programs, respectively. This study overcame the challenges of 2D resistivity sections by evaluating horizontal depth slices in the x-z plane from layers 1 to 10, reaching a depth of 81.2 m. The geotechnical parameters, including cohesion, friction angle, moisture content, and plastic index, were derived from the resistivity data. The ERT method proved to be cost-effective and efficient in determining soil properties over a large area compared with traditional laboratory analysis of borehole samples. Additionally, the variation of geotechnical parameters with resistivity values exhibited unique characteristics. The results from both the 2D and quasi-3D ERT were well correlated with the borehole data. Such studies are valuable for resource exploration and mine planning purposes.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/14/1/102coalgeotechnical parametersquasi-3D ERT2D & 3D inversion |
| spellingShingle | Rupesh Rupesh Prarabdh Tiwari Shashi Prakash Sharma Estimation of Geotechnical Parameters for Coal Exploration from Quasi-3D Electrical Resistivity Measurements Minerals coal geotechnical parameters quasi-3D ERT 2D & 3D inversion |
| title | Estimation of Geotechnical Parameters for Coal Exploration from Quasi-3D Electrical Resistivity Measurements |
| title_full | Estimation of Geotechnical Parameters for Coal Exploration from Quasi-3D Electrical Resistivity Measurements |
| title_fullStr | Estimation of Geotechnical Parameters for Coal Exploration from Quasi-3D Electrical Resistivity Measurements |
| title_full_unstemmed | Estimation of Geotechnical Parameters for Coal Exploration from Quasi-3D Electrical Resistivity Measurements |
| title_short | Estimation of Geotechnical Parameters for Coal Exploration from Quasi-3D Electrical Resistivity Measurements |
| title_sort | estimation of geotechnical parameters for coal exploration from quasi 3d electrical resistivity measurements |
| topic | coal geotechnical parameters quasi-3D ERT 2D & 3D inversion |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/14/1/102 |
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