Granite Exploration by using Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI): A Case Study in Johor

Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) is a tool used in near surface geophysical surveys by flowing an electric current through electrodes that were injected into the ground. The usage of electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) method dominated by geophysicist has increased tremendously in geotechnical engineering application owing to the efficiency and effectiveness of the method in term of time, cost and also data coverage. The survey performed with respect to the particular reference to ERI in determining the granite rock underneath the ground. There were seven (7) lines of ERI performed at the study area by using ABEM Terrameter LS 2 set of equipment based on Schlumberger protocol. Six (6) boreholes were also drilled to obtain engineering properties of rock at the study area. In order to develop the relationship between resistivity and engineering properties, a comparison between borehole field test result and the resistivity value were made. Results from the ERT indicated the presence of zones with high resistivity values identified as overburden soil, fractured granite and solid granite. The findings of this study also showed that the electrical resistivity imaging coupled with borehole drillings were applicable tools for the determination of the granite rock underneath the ground via subsurface profiles and such as depth of overburden soil and engineering properties of soil

Exploration of secondary deposit to determine manganese ore body

Manganese ore is one of the most critical mineral commodities and irreplaceable in steelmaking. With the high demand for manganese ore, exploration to find manganese ore deposits is essential before large investments in mine development. The purpose of this study is to determine the content of secondary manganese through exploration in Ladang Sungai Terah Gua Musang with an area of 40.5 hectares. The area is located near the Permian -dominated zone which can be observed during plutonic igneous granites in the southwest and in the presence of phyllite, slate and shale with subordinate sandstone and schist. The significant secondary mineral found is manganese oxide or pyrolusite. The exploration method is by excavating the trial pit (TP) and bore hole (BH) drilling. The location of TP and BH are determined from anomalies data and outcrop and boulders presence at site. Results that obtained from the thirteen TP sampling showed that the deepest TPs are excavated at 4.0 meter depth and the shallowest depth was at 3.6 meter depth. The thickest manganese ore was at 0.4 meter for TP 06. The highest-grade manganese was 54.3% at 3.8 meter depth of TP 01 located at north-west from BH1. The BH soil which obtained at 12.0 meter depth with silt clay and the presence of sand gravel. The BH soil was taken and homogenised prior testing in order to get representative result. The XRF analysis shown that the manganese ore was found at 55.90 % and second highest mineral was silica oxide which was 21.74 % followed by aluminium at 14.32 %. The calculation of manganese ore reserves was estimated at 157,545 tonnes of which the lifespan of manganese mining operations was estimated at only 10.375 months. Even the quality was high but it still not reaching the ore body It can be concluded that this area is not economical for commercial production of manganese ore and by pursuing this area will surely contribute to business risks, negatively impacting on potential profitability. Mining revenue calculated from estimated ore reserved in this area is not expected to cover costs such as the exploration working capital, property acquisition costs, mine development costs including development drilling and infrastructure development such as roads, utilities, plant and equipment costs which include mining equipment, mill and processing equipment and building, structure and many more

The implementation of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for slope mapping

This paper discusses the applications of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for slope mapping and its important parameters including perimeter, area and volume of certain selected areas at Perumahan Taman Gambang Damai in Kuantan Pahang. This study also focused on determining the potential slope hazard based on slope angle. Modern UAV able to take high quality image which essential for the effectiveness and nature of normal mapping output such as Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Digital Orthophoto. This photo captured by the UAV will later transfer to Agisoft to generate full map of study area. With the help of Global Mapper, the measurement (perimeter, area and volume) of selected study areas can be determined easily and considered as the main interest in this study. In addition, another outcome of this study is, this modern method of mapping helps researchers and engineers to study the possibility of slope hazard based on their respective slope angle (according to slope classes). In conclusion, modern technology of UAV proves to be very effective for mapping in geotechnical engineering. Slope mapping help researchers and engineers to obtain slope measurement within short period of time compare to previous traditional method

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for Slope Mapping at Perumahan Gambang Damai, Pahang: A Case Study

This paper discusses the applications of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for slope mapping and its important parameters including perimeter, area and volume of certain selected areas at Perumahan Taman Gambang Damai in Kuantan Pahang. Previous work of slope mapping using traditional survey equipment considered as time consuming and very challenging especially in hilly regions. This study also focused on determining the potential slope hazard based on slope angle. Modern UAV able to take high quality image which essential for the effectiveness and nature of normal mapping output such as Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Digital Orthophoto. These photos captured by the UAV will later exported to Agisoft to generate full map of study area. With the help of Global Mapper, the measurement such as perimeter, area and volume of selected study areas can be determined easily and considered as the main interest in this study. Based on the results of the two slopes (slope A and slope B), slope B give a bigger volume which is 1469.7 m3 compare to slope A which is 1382.9 m3. The enclosed area for slope A is 1634.3 m2 which is bigger compare to slope B which is 766.86 m2. Besides, the perimeter of slope A is 162.28 m which is bigger compare to slope B which is 159.45 m. In addition, another outcome of this study is, this modern method of mapping helps researchers and engineers to study the possibility of slope hazard based on their respective slope angle. From the results, the angle for slope A is 47.35. while the angle for slope B is 54.75. . Both of the slopes considered as very steep slope. In conclusion, modern technology of UAV proves to be very effective for mapping in geotechnical engineering. Slope mapping using multi-rotor UAV help researchers and engineers to obtain slope measurement within short period of time compare to previous traditional method

Interrelationship between borehole lithology and electrical resistivity for geotechnical site investigation

In the modern era of geophysics, Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) is an important tool to be use for early prediction of subsurface mapping. ERT act to inject electric current to the ground to study the chargeability or the resistivity value of a material. Engineers, geologist and researchers can apply ERT for their subsurface investigation since ERT proves to be very efficient and effective for subsurface mapping in term of cost, time and data coverage. 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography survey was performed in Kuala Krau, Temerloh, Pahang to assist geotechnical site investigation. There are two available boreholes (BH 1 and BH 2) lithological data which can be correlated directly with the resistivity profile. One of the boreholes report hard rock layer at 9 m depth overlain by silt and clay. This hard layer was represented by resistivity value higher than 600 Ω m and 10–70 Ωm low resistivity layer overlain the hard layer. The low resistivity layer is associated with saturated silt and clay. Another borehole shows the existence of weathered sandstone at depth 11 m–17 m also overlain by silt and clay. Resistivity profile show the weathered region from the said borehole contacted edge side of sandstone boulder which also represented by higher than 600 Ω m resistivity value. 3D voxel was also generated from inversed resistivity value. The 3D voxel has successfully shown the lateral distribution of the geotechnical target. In conclusion, from this study, it is proven that results from ERT can be verified with the results from borehole lithology since the results obtained were almost accurate

Critical strategies for construction players in the adoption of biophilic city concept in Malaysia

Around 2.5 billion individuals will be living in urban areas by 2050. Two out of three individuals are going to live in urban communities or other urban focuses, featuring sustainable urban planning and public services. A biophilic city concept which is a sister term of the green city innately affiliates human being to other living organisms. Apart from adhering to human needs, the concept is the economical among other green city concepts. However, biophilic city concept is still an alien term to construction players and the public. The paper aims to propose and evaluate the critical strategies for construction players in the adoption of the biophilic city concept in Malaysia. 173 respondents consisting of government agencies, developers, consultants and contractors were involved in a questionnaire survey. 81 out of 107 strategies were accepted as the critical strategies in adopting the biophilic city concept. Among the strongest strategies are (1) effective water conservation in biophilic city project; (2) acknowledging biophilic city concept adoption publicly; and (3) adequate material resource availability for the biophilic city project. These strategies fall under three different items, namely; (1) sustainability in the biophilic city project; (2) awards and recognition for biophilic city concept adoption; and (3) organisation in the biophilic city project, respectively. Commitment of all construction players are crucial crucial towards inclusive, sustainable urban planning and public services

Granite exploration by using electrical resistivity imaging (ERI): a case study in Johor

Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) is a tool used in near surface geophysical surveys by flowing an electric current through electrodes that were injected into the ground. The usage of electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) method dominated by geophysicist has increased tremendously in geotechnical engineering application owing to the efficiency and effectiveness of the method in term of time, cost and also data coverage. The survey performed with respect to the particular reference to ERI in determining the granite rock underneath the ground. There were seven (7) lines of ERI performed at the study area by using ABEM Terrameter LS 2 set of equipment based on Schlumberger protocol. Six (6) boreholes were also drilled to obtain engineering properties of rock at the study area. In order to develop the relationship between resistivity and engineering properties, a comparison between borehole field test result and the resistivity value were made. Results from the ERI indicated the presence of zones with high resistivity values identified as overburden soil, fractured granite and solid granite. The findings of this study also showed that the electrical resistivity imaging coupled with borehole drillings were applicable tools for the determination of the granite rock underneath the ground via subsurface profiles and such as depth of overburden soil and engineering properties of soil. In conclusion, ERI is a method that does not disturb the structure or the function of the soil which successfully became the best method in exploring the granite rock

The effect of tree water uptake on suction distribution in tropical residual soil slope

This study provided an investigation of active root tree zone which is located at the toe of a slope. This section of slope generated matric suction due to tree water uptake. A field monitoring program was carried out to collect matric suction data at slope with two conditions; in absent of a tree and with a tree (Acacia Mangium) located at toe of slope on a tropical residual soil. This soil suction collection is very important to determine the moisture content in soil. When the soil suction is low, it means that the soil is lack of water, which increase the shear strength of the soil compare to soil with more water content. The variation in matric suction values and matric suction profiles response to the tree water uptake and rainfall are investigated. Three soil instruments known as tensiometer and gypsum block (both for suction collection) together with rain gauge (for rainfall collection). Matric suction significantly increased at vicinity of tree at toe of slope compared to slope without tree. The variations of matric suction response due to climate change occur significantly at swallow of the slope and decrease gradually with depth. The decreases of matric suction occur after long duration of intense rainfall. This act as an initial condition before the water uptake driven by active root tree generate to maximum matric suction (low moisture content). Analyses from matric suction profiles revealed that majority of matric suction changes were greater near tree trunk (<4 m) and at shallow depth (0.5 m). The contours of matric suction profiles are presented to reveal moisture flow due to tree water uptake. This investigation provides the viewed contribution of single mature tree significantly alter the matric suction or moisture variation distribution driven by transpiration in an unsaturated soil slope. It takes consideration that preserving mature tree can improved soil properties in modern slope designs

Verification of tree induced suction with numerical model

This study discusses the validation between explorations of transpiration on the unsaturated soil zone with unsaturated flow equation of tree water uptake model. Numerical simulation was performed to the model of the slope in relation to moisture migration patterns in the unsaturated zone within the vicinity of mature tree. The results of numerical simulation conducted on typical slope geometry model with tree at the toe of the slope of induced transpiration were later presented in this study. The results of numerical simulation and field monitoring of suction against depth are in acceptable condition. It is important to note that, several of the differences between simulated numerical and field measurement are related to inconsistence effect of root density

The effect of tree water uptake on suction distribution in tropical residual soil slope

This study provided an investigation of active root tree zone which is located at the toe of a slope. This section of slope generated matric suction due to tree water uptake. A field monitoring program was carried out to collect matric suction data at slope with two conditions; in absent of a tree and with a tree (Acacia Mangium) located at toe of slope on a tropical residual soil. This soil suction collection is very important to determine the moisture content in soil. When the soil suction is low, it means that the soil is lack of water, which increase the shear strength of the soil compare to soil with more water content. The variation in matric suction values and matric suction profiles response to the tree water uptake and rainfall are investigated. Three soil instruments known as tensiometer and gypsum block (both for suction collection) together with rain gauge (for rainfall collection). Matric suction significantly increased at vicinity of tree at toe of slope compared to slope without tree. The variations of matric suction response due to climate change occur significantly at swallow of the slope and decrease gradually with depth. The decreases of matric suction occur after long duration of intense rainfall. This act as an initial condition before the water uptake driven by active root tree generate to maximum matric suction (low moisture content). Analyses from matric suction profiles revealed that majority of matric suction changes were greater near tree trunk (<4 m) and at shallow depth (0.5 m). The contours of matric suction profiles are presented to reveal moisture flow due to tree water uptake. This investigation provides the viewed contribution of single mature tree significantly alter the matric suction or moisture variation distribution driven by transpiration in an unsaturated soil slope. It takes consideration that preserving mature tree can improved soil properties in modern slope designs