4D electrical resistivity tomography for assessing the influence of vegetation and subsurface moisture on railway cutting condition

Instability of slopes, embankments, and cuttings on the railway network is increasingly prevalent globally. Monitoring vulnerable infrastructure aids in geotechnical asset management, improvements to transport safety efficiency. Here, we examine use a novel, near-real-time Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) monitoring system for assessing stability cutting Leicestershire, United Kingdom. In 2015, an ERT was installed across relict landslide (grassed) area more stable ground either side (wooded), monitor changes electrical resistivity through time space, assess influence different types vegetation transportation infrastructure. Two years 4-Dimensional results are presented here, petrophysical relationships developed laboratory applied calibrate models order provide insight into hydrogeological pathways within cutting. The type subsurface moisture slope also assessed – here find that seasonal content soil suction exacerbated by presence trees (wooded area). This shrink-swell behaviour clays comprising cutting, resulting fissuring reduction shear strength, leading instability. As such, it proposed slopes comprised expansive soils, grassed beneficial stability. Insights 4-D gained from this study may be critical assets elsewhere.