Electric-field response based experimental investigation of unsaturated soil slope seepage

• Published in: Journal of applied geophysics Vol. 138; pp. 154 - 160
• Main Authors: Geng, Jishi, Sun, Qiang, Zhang, Yuchun, Yan, Changgen, Zhang, Weiqiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.03.2017
• Subjects: Geoelectric-field response; Rainfall seepage; Unsaturated soil slope; Unsaturated soil slope; Geoelectric-field response; Rainfall seepage
• ISSN: 0926-9851; 1879-1859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jappgeo.2017.01.023

Rainfall is one of the important factors causing the failure of slope, such as the occurrence of transverse cracks and localized slumps. The process of rainfall seepage was studied with an indoor soil slope model based on the Network Parallel Electrical Method. The responses of geoelectric-field parameters were analyzed to infer the evolution process of rainfall seepage path. The variations of geoelectric-field parameters also contribute to our understanding of the behavior of groundwater seepage. The results show that the seepage velocity and seepage position of groundwater can be obtained according to the exciting current and primary field potential response characteristics of seepage field. The primary field potential, exciting current, spontaneous potential and apparent resistivity are sensitive to the water flow. When the position of the seepage surface reaches a certain electrode, the spontaneous potential, primary field potential and exciting current rapidly increase, while the apparent resistivity decreases gradually. The result of apparent resistivity can reflect the variation of the water content in the 3D structural soil slope and the position of infiltration surface. The results of study can provide the theoretical basis for studying the behavior of moisture flow in soil slope under rainfall condition. •The unsaturated soil slope seepage under rainfall is monitored by inversion of geoelectric field.•The parameters of network parallel electrical method reflect the characteristics of soil seepage.•The characteristics of water seepage in soil slope are deduced by the apparent resistivity section.•This research has referential significance for the stability evaluation of the slope after rainfall.