Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A preliminary study of continuous discharge flow from horizontal drains using 3-dimensional resistivity model

  • Transportation Engineering
  • Technical Note
  • Published:
KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A massive slope failure occurred on the 22nd March 2007 after 3 days of continuous rainfall at Precinct 9, Putrajaya, Malaysia. Back analysis carried out identified that the main cause of failure is due to the existing high groundwater level within the cut slope. It is also observed that the continuous discharge from the horizontal drains yield approximately 100 ml/s even during dry season. Thus, it is suspected that the main contribution to the high groundwater level is due to the leakage from the large water tank constructed on the crest of the slope. Electrical resistivity survey was adopted to facilitate the investigation for the source of high groundwater level within the slope. A 3-dimensional resistivity model was developed using the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation method. The 3D resistivity model shows that the high water content zone is not caused by the leakage of water tank but is originated from an unknown source at the south-east side of the slope.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmed, J., Ghazali, M. A., Mukhlisin, M., Alias, M. N., and Taha, M. R. (2011). “Effectiveness of horizontal drains in improving slope stability: A case study of landslide event in Putrajaya Precinct 9, Malaysia.” Unsaturated Soils: Theory and Practice 2011, Kasetsart University, Thailand, pp. 753–758.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anudu, G. K., Essien, B. I., and Obrike, S. E. (2014). “Hydrogeophysical investigation and estimation of groundwater potentials of the Lower Palaeozoic to Precambrian crystalline basement rocks in Keffi area, north-central Nigeria, using resistivity methods.” Arabian Journal of Geosciences, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 311-322, DOI: 10.1007/s12517-012-0789-x.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths, D. H. and Barker, R. D. (1993). “Two-dimensional resistivity imaging and modelling in areas of complex geology.” Journal of Applied Geophysics, Vol. 29, No. 3, 211–226, DOI: 10.1016/0926-9851(93)90005-J.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gue, S. S. and Tan, Y. C. (2006). “Landslides: Abuses of the prescriptive method.” International Conference on Slope 2006, Kuala Lumpur, 7-8 August.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchison, C. S. and Tan, D. N. K. (Eds.) (2009). Geology of peninsular Malaysia, University of Malaya.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller, G. V. and Frischknecht, F. C. (1996). Electrical methods in geophysical prospecting, Pergamon Press Inc., Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, J. (2008). A review of spatial interpolation methods for environmental scientists (Vol. 137), Geoscience Australia, Canberra.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loke, M. H. (2000). Electrical imaging surveys for environmental and engineering studies- A practical guide to 2D and 3D surveys: Penang, Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manap, M. A., Nampak, H., Pradhan, B., Lee, S., Sulaiman, W. N. A., and Ramli, M. F. (2014). “Application of probabilistic-based frequency ratio model in groundwater potential mapping using remote sensing data and GIS.” Arabian Journal of Geosciences, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 711–724, DOI: 10.1007/s12517-012-0795-z.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moser, S. (2010). “Putrajaya: Malaysia’s new federal administrative capital.” Cities, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 285–297, DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2009.11.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rahardjo, H., Ong, T. H., Rezaur, R. B., Leong, E. C., and Fredlund, D. G. (2010). “Response parameters for characterization of infiltration.” Environmental Earth Sciences, Vol. 60, No. 7, pp. 1369–1380, DOI: 10.1007/s12665-009-0273-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao, G. T., Rao, V. G., Padalu, G., Dhakate, R., and Sarma, V. S. (2014). “Application of electrical resistivity tomography methods for delineation of groundwater contamination and potential zones.” Arabian Journal of Geosciences, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 1373–1384, DOI: 10.1007/s12517-013-0835-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rockware Inc. (2010). Roctworks 15, software manual, Golden, Colorado, US.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaidi, F. K. and Kassem, O. M. K. (2012). “Use of electrical resistivity tomography in delineating zones of groundwater potential in arid regions: a case study from Diriyah region of Saudi Arabia.” Arabian Journal of Geosciences, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 327–333, DOI: 10.1007/s12517-010-0165-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Engineering Campus, 14300, Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

    Soon Min Ng, Mohd Ashraf Mohamad Ismail & Ismail Abustan

Authors
  1. Soon Min Ng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mohd Ashraf Mohamad Ismail
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ismail Abustan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Soon Min Ng.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ng, S.M., Ismail, M.A.M. & Abustan, I. A preliminary study of continuous discharge flow from horizontal drains using 3-dimensional resistivity model. KSCE J Civ Eng 19, 1865–1869 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-014-1340-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-014-1340-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation