TITLE:
Obtaining 2D Soil Geotechnical Profiles from Cokriging Interpolation of Sample Data and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT)—Applications in Mass Movements Studies
AUTHORS:
Cassiano Antonio Bortolozo, Noel Howley, Andy Legg, Tristan Pryer, Danielle Silva de Paula, Tatiana Sussel Gonçalves Mendes, Daniel Metodiev, Marcio Roberto Magalhães de Andrade, Silvio Jorge Coelho Simões, Maiconn Vinicius de Moraes, Marcio Augusto Ernesto de Moraes, Luana Albertani Pampuch, Rodolfo Moreda Mendes, Harideva Marturano Egas
KEYWORDS:
Mass Movements, Geophysics, ERT, Geotechnical Surveys, Campos do Jordão, Cokriging
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Geosciences,
Vol.15 No.7,
July
22,
2024
ABSTRACT: Brazil annually faces significant challenges with mass movements, particularly in areas with poorly constructed housing, inadequate engineering, and lacking sanitation infrastructure. Campos do Jordão, in São Paulo state, is a city currently grappling with these issues. This paper details a study conducted within a pilot area in Campos do Jordão, where geophysical surveys and geotechnical borehole data were integrated. The geophysical surveys provided 2D profiles, and samples were collected to analyse soil moisture and plasticity. These datasets were combined using a Cokriging-based model to produce an accurate representation of the subsurface conditions. The enhanced modelling of subsurface variability facilitates a deeper understanding of soil behavior, which can be used to improve landslide risk assessments. This approach is innovative, particularly within the international context where similar studies often do not address the complexities associated with urban planning deficits such as those observed in some areas of Brazil. These conditions, including the lack of proper sanitation and irregular housing, significantly influence the geological stability of the region, adding layers of complexity to subsurface assessments. Adapting geotechnical evaluation methods to local challenges offers the potential to increase the efficacy and relevance of geological risk management in regions with similar socio-economic and urban characteristics.