TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS...................................................................................................................................2
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................................................3
1.0 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Background........................................................................................................................................4
1.2 Purpose of Investigation....................................................................................................................4
2.0 WENNER FOUR ELECTRODE METHOD...................................................................................................4
3.0 METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................................................5
3.1 Determination of Soil resistivity using the Wenner Four electrode method.....................................5
4.0 RESULTS AND ANALYSIS.........................................................................................................................6
4.1 Results...............................................................................................................................................6
4.1.1 Station details.................................................................................................................................6
4.1.2 Soil conditions.................................................................................................................................6
4.1.3 Resistivity Analysis..........................................................................................................................7
5.0 CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................................10
6.0 REFERENCES........................................................................................................................................11

TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Wenner four electrode setup (Earth Resistivity Testing SWP)........................................4
Figure 2 Figure showing Resistivity-depth curve............................................................................8
Figure 3 Figure showing a graph of 1/2piR against Depth in meters..............................................9

1|Page
ABSTRACT
The objective of this test was to determine the degree with which soil resists the flow of current,
hence to determine the electrical character of the soil. The Wenner flow electrode method was
employed in-situ to achieve this objective. The results of the test were then tabulated and
analysed and conclusions were made.

2|Page
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Resistivity is the electrical resistance between two opposite faces of a cube of material [ CITATION
AST01 \l 2057 ] .It simply gives a measure of the resistance to the flow of current. Soil Resistivity
is the measure by which soil resists the flow of current. The soil resistivity test was carried out
in-situ using the Wenner four-point electrode method.

1.2 Purpose of Investigation.

To determine the average resistivity of soil at (Name of site).

2.0 WENNER FOUR ELECTRODE METHOD.

The soil resistivity can be determined through the Wenner four electrode method. In this method,
four metal electrodes are placed at a particular distance from each other, in a straight line and at a
depth in soil not exceeding 5% of the minimum separation of the four electrodes as shown in
figure 1 below.

Figure 1: Wenner four electrode setup[CITATION Erg \n \l 2057 ]

Current is then passed through the outer electrodes and the resulting potential difference between
the two inner electrodes is measured using a voltmeter. The resistance is then determined
through Ohms law, or alternatively it can be measured directly from the meter. The resulting
resistivity is then determined in ohm-m, using the equation below.
ρ=2 πAR CITATION AST01 \l 2057 (ASTM, 2001)

3|Page
Whereby; ρ is the resistivity, A is the distance of separation in m between the electrodes and R is
the resistance in ohms measured from the meter.

3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Determination of Soil resistivity using the Wenner Four electrode method
3.1.1 Apparatus
1. Meter for measuring resistance and supplying current
2. Four Metal electrodes
3. Measuring Tape.

3.1.2 Procedure
1. The operator and instrument information were filled in.
2. The soil conditions and soil type were also determined and recorded.
3. The straight line for the electrodes was marked out on the ground and electrode spacing
in meters was determined. This was based on how far the equipment current and potential
leads allowed. The electrode spacing was also recorded.
4. The electrode depth of embedment in soil was also determined and recorded as 5% of the
electrode spacing.
5. The test was conducted and the resistance and Resistivity measured by the meter was
recorded.
6. Keeping the electrode spacing constant, the test was carried out in other three positions
and the resistance and resistivity were recorded again.
7. The procedure was repeated in all positions again using different electrode spacings and
the corresponding resistances and resistivities were recorded.
8. The results were tabulated and analysed to determine average resistivity.

4|Page
4.0 RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Results
The tables and figures below show the results from the test.
4.1.1 Station details

Table 1 Station details

SUBSTATION: <Sub Name> DATE:  

Test Equipment Used
Instrument Model/Asset number Serial Number
Earth Resistivity Meter    
     

4.1.2 Soil conditions

Here we describe about the soil conditions of the places tested.

Table 2 Weather, soil condition and soil type

Weather Conditions Soil Conditions Soil Type

Sunny Wet Loam
Partly Overcast Moist Clay
Overcast Dry Sand
Raining Very Dry/Arid Stone/Granite
Temperature:     Other:  

5|Page
 4.1.3 Resistivity Analysis

Table 3: Table showing results from Wenner four electrode test.

Wenner’
s Resistivity
Method:   () = 2aR            
    Position 1 Position 2  
a (m) 2a R () R () R () R ()
(m) C2-P2-P1- P2-C2-C1- C2-P2-P1- P2-C2-C1- ρ Average
C1 P1 R () C1 P1 R () (m)
1 6.28 5.000 5.000 31.416 5.000 5.000 31.416 31.416
2 12.57 6.000 6.000 75.398 6.000 6.000 75.398 75.398
3 18.85 7.000 7.000 131.947 7.000 7.000 131.947 131.947
4 25.13 8.000 8.000 201.062 8.000 8.000 201.062 201.062
5 31.42 9.000 9.000 282.743 9.000 9.000 282.743 282.743
    Position 3 Position 4  
a (m) 2a R () R () R () R ()
(m) C2-P2-P1- P2-C2-C1- C2-P2-P1- P2-C2-C1- ρ Average
C1 P1 R () C1 P1 R () (m)
1 6.28 5.000 5.000 31.416 5.000 5.000 31.416 31.416
2 12.57 6.000 6.000 75.398 6.000 6.000 75.398 75.398
3 18.85 7.000 7.000 131.947 7.000 7.000 131.947 131.947
4 25.13 8.000 8.000 201.062 8.000 8.000 201.062 201.062
5 31.42 9.000 9.000 282.743 9.000 9.000 282.743 282.743

The test results above show the average resistances and resistivities at different positions and
depths. It is seen that resistivity increases with depth of embedment of the electrodes. This is
further demonstrated in figure 2 below.

6|Page
 Resistivity-Depth Curve

1000
Apparent Resistivity (ohm.m)

Position 1

100 Position 2

Depth Average 1 &

2

Position 3

Position 4

10
1 10

Spacing (Depth in metres)

Figure 2 Figure showing Resistivity-depth curve

7|Page
A graph of 1/2πR against depth was also plotted to determine the average upper layer and lower
layer resistivity of soil.

1/2piR Vs Depth

0.04

0.03

0.03 Position
1

0.02 Position
2
1/2piR

0.02 Position
3

0.01 Position
4

0.01

0
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5

Depth (m)

Figure 3 Figure showing a graph of 1/2piR against Depth in meters

8|Page
5.0 CONCLUSION
Here you conclude about the resistivity values you recommend for design in relation to the empirical
values stated for various soil conditions.

The values you obtain/recommend should be acceptable and comparable with the empirical values
(ranges).

9|Page
6.0 REFERENCES

1. ASTM. (2001). Standard Test Method for Measurement of Soil Resistivity Using Wenner
Four Electrode Method.
2. Limited, E. E. (n.d.). Earth Resistivity Testing SWP. 7.

10 | P a g e