Pontus Sjödahl

Bio: Pontus Sjödahl is an academic researcher from Lund University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Internal erosion & Embankment dam. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 16 publications receiving 409 citations.

2.5D resistivity modeling of embankment dams to assess influence from geometry and material properties

Abstract: Repeated resistivity measurement is a potentially powerful method for monitoring development of internal erosion and anomalous seepage in earth embankment dams. This study is part of a project to improve current longterm monitoring routines and data interpretation and increasing the understanding when interpreting existing data. This is accomplished by modeling various occurrences typical of embankment structures using properties from two rockfill embankment dams with central till cores in the north of Sweden. The study evaluates the influence from 3D effects created by specific dam geometry and effects of water level fluctuations in the reservoir. Moreover, a comparison between different layout locations is carried out, and detectability of internal erosion scenarios is estimated through modeling of simulated damage situations. Software was especially developed to model apparent resistivity for geometries and material distributions for embankment dams. The model shows that the 3D effect from the embankment geometry is clearly significant when measuring along dam crests. For dams constructed with a conductive core of fine-grained soil and high-resistive rockfill, the effect becomes greatly enhanced. Also, water level fluctuations have a clear effect on apparent resistivities. Only small differences were found between the investigated arrays. A layout along the top of the crest is optimal for monitoring on existing dams, where intrusive investigations are normally avoided, because it is important to pass the current through the conductive core, which is often the main target of investigation. The investigation technique has proven beneficial for improving monitoring routines and increasing the understanding of results from the ongoing monitoring programs. Although the technique and software are developed for dam modeling, it could be used for estimation of 3D influence on any elongated structure with a 2D cross section.

Using resistivity measurements for dam safety evaluation at Enemossen tailings dam in southern Sweden

Abstract: Internal erosion is a major reason for embankment dam failures. Resistivity measurements is an essentially non-destructive technique, which may have the possibility of detecting internal erosion processes and anomalous seepage at an early stage before the safety of the dam is at stake. This paper presents results from part of a dam safety investigation conducted at the Enemossen tailings dam in southern Sweden. Longitudinal resistivity sections, 2D measurements along the dam crest, provided an overview of the whole dam and served to detect anomalous zones. In selected areas, additional cross-sectional 2D surveys gave detailed information about the geo-electrical situations in the embankments. This information is valuable for similar investigations as information about resistivity in embankment construction material is scarce. Known problem areas were associated with low resistivities, even though the resistivity measurements alone did not provide enough information to confidently come to a decision about the status of the dams.

Using the resistivity method for leakage detection in a blind test at the Røssvatn embankment dam test facility in Norway

Abstract: Internal erosion is a cause of embankment dam failure, thus it is important to develop methods for seepage monitoring and internal erosion detection. In order to evaluate the potential of resistivity monitoring to give an early warning of such leakage/erosion, a test was undertaken on a rockfill embankment dam with a central glacial till core at the Rossvatn test facility in Norway. Three defects, consisting of permeable material, were built into the dam at various depths and locations unknown to the personnel carrying out the measurements and data interpretation. A numerical modelling pre-study was carried out, showing that all the actually constructed defects were too small to be detected by single time investigation. In the final test, repeated measurements were undertaken with different reservoir levels, i.e. a limited monitoring approach. This increased the detection capability, confirming the value of the geophysical approach and that monitoring is superior to single time investigations.

Embankment dam seepage evaluation from resistivity monitoring data

Abstract: Methods for monitoring seepage are important for the safety of embankment dams. Increased seepage may be associated with internal erosion in the dam and internal erosion is one of the main reasons for dam failures. Internal erosion progresses inside the dam and is difficult to detect by conventional methods. Therefore there is a need for new or improved methods. The resistivity method is a non-destructive method that may accomplish this task. It has been tried in an on-going research programme in Sweden. Daily resistivity measurements are carried out on permanent installations on two Swedish embankment dams. In this paper the installations on the Sadva embankment dam are described and selected parts of the results are presented. In addition, a method for evaluating the seepage from resistivity monitoring data is theoretically described and tested for four selected areas in the foundation of the Sadva dam. Seasonal resistivity variations are apparent in the reservoir as well as inside the dam. Most parts of the dam have a homogeneous resistivity distribution with consistent variations. The overall status of the dam is satisfactory. However part of the foundation demonstrates a slightly different behaviour pattern with regard to the seasonal variation. The four selected areas represent localities with low, intermediate and high variations in seasonal resistivity. The areas are compared qualitatively and thereby permeable zones within the dam may be identified. Quantitative assessment of the seepage flow is also carried out as an initial test of the described method. It is concluded that the experiences from the Sadva dam are valuable with regard to the use of the resistivity method on embankment dams. Resistivity monitoring data may be used to qualitatively assess the seepage through the dam. For quantitative assessment, the method is promising and the data from the Sadva dam constitute an interesting initial approach. However, many assumptions and simplifications are made and more work on refining the method is needed.

4D electrical resistivity tomography monitoring of soil moisture dynamics in an operational railway embankment

Abstract: The internal moisture dynamics of an aged (> 100 years old) railway earthwork embankment, which is still in use, are investigated using 2D and 3D resistivity monitoring. A methodology was employed that included automated 3D ERT data capture and telemetric transfer with on-site power generation, the correction of resistivity models for seasonal temperature changes and the translation of subsurface resistivity distributions into moisture content based on petrophysical relationships developed for the embankment material. Visualization of the data as 2D sections, 3D tomograms and time series plots for different zones of the embankment enabled the development of seasonal wetting fronts within the embankment to be monitored at a high-spatial resolution and the respective distributions of moisture in the flanks, crest and toes of the embankment to be assessed. Although the embankment considered here is at no immediate risk of failure, the approach developed for this study is equally applicable to other more high-risk earthworks and natural slopes.

3D crosshole ERT for aquifer characterization and monitoring of infiltrating river water

Abstract: The hydrogeological properties and responses of a productive aquifer in northeastern Switzerland are investigated. For this purpose, 3D crosshole electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is used to define the main lithological structures within the aquifer (through static inversion) and to monitor the water infiltration from an adjacent river. During precipitation events and subsequent river flooding, the river water resistivity increases. As a consequence, the electrical characteristics of the infiltrating water can be used as a natural tracer to delineate preferential flow paths and flow velocities. The focus is primarily on the experiment installation, data collection strategy, and the structural characterization of the site and a brief overview of the ERT monitoring results. The monitoring system comprises 18 boreholes each equipped with 10 electrodes straddling the entire thickness of the gravel aquifer. A multichannel resistivity system programmed to cycle through various four-point electrode configurations of the 180 electrodes in a rolling sequence allows for the measurement of approximately 15,500 apparent resistivity values every 7 h on a continuous basis. The 3D static ERT inversion of data acquired under stable hydrological conditions provides a base model for future time-lapse inversion studies and the means to investigate the resolving capability of our acquisition scheme. In particular, it enables definition of the main lithological structures within the aquifer. The final ERT static model delineates a relatively high-resistivity, low-porosity, intermediate-depth layer throughout the investigated aquifer volume that is consistent with results from well logging and seismic and radar tomography models. The next step will be to define and implement an appropriate time-lapse ERT inversion scheme using the river water as a natural tracer. The main challenge will be to separate the superposed time-varying effects of water table height, temperature, and salinity variations associated with the infiltrating water.