Delineating Weak Zones in Limestone based on Borehole Drilling and Electrical Resistivity Tomography
This study is focused on imaging of weak zones in subsurface using borehole and geophysical datasets. These weak zones are present within Jhill limestone of Miocene age across the northern, Karachi. A total of forty-nine core samples were collected from eleven boreholes about 30 m deep within the study area. The core analysis reveals presence of cavities in fractured limestone at shallow and deep levels. The lateral extension and thickness of these weak zones are well imaged by the electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) dataset. The 2D tomographs of the six profiles show variability in the ground resistivity response. The ERT profiles are interpreted using on hand samples collects from boreholes. These tomographs reveal relatively high resistivity values interpreted as intercalation of dry clay and marl beds within limestone. The medium resistivity values suggest presence of clay and sand in highly fractured limestone or surficial dry features. The low resistivity values are interpreted to be originated 24 by the weak zones filled with lithologies having high moisture content within limestone. The collected core samples were analysed for geotechnical parameters. The integration of borehole and ERT datasets delineated weak zones in the northern and central regions, which should be well28 cemented to avoid any geohazard.