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Combined geophysical and geotechnical approach to ground investigations and hazard zonation of a quick clay area, mid Norway

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Abstract

Mapping of quick clay is important for hazard zonation, planning and protection purposes. The present study focuses on an area prone to quick clay landslides in mid Norway, which is investigated through a combination of geophysical and geotechnical methods. The following classes are suggested for a first-order interpretation of resistivity profiles in areas with few or no previous investigations: Unleached clay deposits: 1–10 Ωm; Leached clay deposits, possibly quick: 10–100 Ωm; Dry crust clay deposits and coarse sediments: >100 Ωm. In the study area, 14–80 Ωm was found as the main resistivity interval for quick clay. The resistivity values from the present study are compared to previously published values. Classification of material from resistivity values is influenced by local conditions, and there is an overlap between the classes. Resistivity profiles can give valuable information for hazard zonation and may assist in maximising subsequent intrusive investigations.

Résumé

La cartographie des argiles sensibles est importante pour des objectifs de zonage d’aléa, de planification et de protection. L’étude présentée se focalise sur une région sujette aux glissements dans des argiles sensibles du centre de la Norvège. Elle a mis en œuvre une combinaison de méthodes géophysiques et géotechniques. Les classes suivantes sont suggérées pour une première interprétation en termes de profils de résistivité dans des régions peu ou pas étudiées jusqu’alors : Dépôts d’argiles non lessivées : 1–10 Ωm; Dépôts d’argiles lessivées, pouvant être sensibles : 10–100 Ωm; Dépôts d’argiles superficielles sèches : >100 Ωm . Dans la région d’étude, des plages de valeurs de 14 à 80 Ωm caractérisent le mieux des argiles sensibles. Les valeurs de résistivité de cette étude sont comparées à des valeurs précédemment publiées. Le classement des matériaux à partir des valeurs de résistivité est influencé par des conditions locales et il y a un chevauchement entre les classes. Les profils de résistivité peuvent donner une information valable pour un zonage d’aléa et peuvent permettre d’optimiser des investigations ultérieures par méthodes intrusives.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), the Norwegian National Rail Administration, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and the Administrative Board of the Norwegian Natural Perils Pool for financial support in the project. Thanks are also given to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for geotechnical sampling and drilling including RCPTU.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. SINTEF Building and Infrastructure, Rock and Soil Mechanics, Trondheim, Norway

    Inger-Lise Solberg

  2. Geological Survey of Norway, P.O. Box 6315 Sluppen, 7491, Trondheim, Norway

    Inger-Lise Solberg, Louise Hansen, Jan Steinar Rønning, Einar Dalsegg & Jan Fredrik Tønnesen

  3. Department of Petroleum Technology and Applied Geophysics, NTNU, 7491, Trondheim, Norway

    Jan Steinar Rønning

  4. Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, P.O. Box 1230 Sluppen, 7462, Trondheim, Norway

    Ellen D. Haugen

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  1. Inger-Lise Solberg
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  2. Louise Hansen
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  3. Jan Steinar Rønning
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Correspondence to Inger-Lise Solberg.

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Solberg, IL., Hansen, L., Rønning, J.S. et al. Combined geophysical and geotechnical approach to ground investigations and hazard zonation of a quick clay area, mid Norway. Bull Eng Geol Environ 71, 119–133 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-011-0363-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-011-0363-x

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