ELECTRICAL-RESISTIVITY OF COMPACTED CLAYS

Relationships between electrical resistivity, compaction conditions, h ydraulic conductivity, and index properties are reported for ten soils that have been used for constructing compacted soil liners having low field-scale hydraulic conductivity (<1 x 10(-9) m/s). The electrical resistivity of compacted clay is sensitive to compaction conditions, w ith lower electrical resistivity obtained for compaction at higher wat er content or greater compactive effort. A unique relationship exists between electrical resistivity and initial (as-compacted) saturation f or each clay that is independent of compactive effort. A unique relati onship between hydraulic conductivity and electrical resistivity exist s for some, but not all soils. Electrical resistivity is also correlat ed with index properties. Soils with higher liquid limit or plasticity index, a greater percentage of fines or clay, or a smaller coarse fra ction have lower electrical resistivity.