GeolSoc & IES ECN workshop

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Jon Chambers1, Phil Meldrum1, Paul Wilkinson1, Dave Gunn1, Nick Slater2
1BGS 2SOCOTEC Monitoring, UK
Novel geophysical approaches for monitoring and
visualising the subsurface: from autonomous data
acquisition to web-based decision support

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• Combine emerging electrical resistivity imaging technology with data telemetry,
automated processing and web portal access.
• To deliver a novel low-cost low-power geophysical ground imaging system to
support stakeholders responsible for managing geotechnical assets.
• Thereby enabling remote monitoring of the near surface for environmental and
engineering applications.
PRIME… the vision
… to make cutting-edge geophysical ground
imaging technology relevant, useful and available
to the geotechnical / environmental community!

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• Principal physical property is
electrical resistivity – the resistance
of the ground to passing electrical
current.
• Sensitive to geological variations,
changes in groundwater saturation &
quality, and temperature.
• Increasingly used in site-scale
environmental & engineering
investigations surveys.
• Very large peer-reviewed evidence
base (1000s of papers)
• Configurable for remote monitoring
…a brief introduction to resistivity imaging

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PRIME… transformative technology
Threshold
exceeded
1.
High intensity
data collection
2.
SMS alert to
asset manager
3.
Two modes of operation:
1. Standard mode
2. Reactive mode
/ smart monitoring

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PRIME Instrument:
Modular design
Efficient deployment
Power:
12 VDC (10 W)
Monitoring platform:
SDI interface for a range of
environmental sensors
Setup & Control:
Web portal control
PRIME… low cost, low power instrumentation
GSM router
Antenna
Batteries
PRIME
Instrument
Solar
regulator
Solar array, 20W
Sensor array
cables
Command file import & uploadMeasurement schedulingResults reporting & upload

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PRIME… Calyx information delivery
Future Railways
RCM Challenge

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Engineered slopes
Natural slopes
Water
Energy research
• Agriculture – Zambia,
Zimbabwe & Malawi
UK activities
International activities
• Natural landslides - India &
Canada
PRIME… multiple applications

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PRIME… Case histories (Old Dalby rail cutting)

9. PRIME… Case histories (Old Dalby rail cutting)

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Poor drainage
leading to wetting up
of the toe
Less infiltration in
grassed area
Preferential
infiltration in
wooded areas
• Volumetric
assessment of
heterogeneity
• Understanding asset
deterioration
processes
• Decision support and
early warning
PRIME… Case histories
(Old Dalby rail cutting)

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Statutory contaminated land
(Part IIA of the Environmental
Protection Act 1990)
ALERT… Case histories (Stamford former gasworks)

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ALERT… Case histories (Stamford former gasworks)

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PRIME… Case histories (mains water pipe leakage)

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PRIME – Case histories (water utilities)PRIME… Case histories (pipe leakage)

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Unique Monitoring System
Non-invasive Technology
Remote data access
Near-real-time information
Global First
Faster and safer to install
Improved H & S . Reduced carbon
Enhanced decision support
Smart
Subsurface
Monitoring!
Widely applicable Cost effective monitoring