Amsir Amsir, Zakia Masrurah, Nurul Aflah, Agus Hari Pramana, Haqul Baramsyah

SUBSURFACE SOIL CHARACTERISATION USING VERTICAL ELECTRICAL SOUNDING FOR SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AT SYIAH KUALA UNIVERSITY

Introduction

Subsurface soil characterisation using vertical electrical sounding for supporting infrastructure development at syiah kuala university. Subsurface soil at Syiah Kuala University characterized via Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) for infrastructure. Findings guide foundation selection, construction safety, and long-term stability.

Abstract

This study characterises the subsurface soil properties in the western sector of Syiah Kuala University, specifically the Kopelma Darussalam area, using Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) with a Schlumberger configuration. Nine measurement points were deployed to obtain resistivity profiles supporting infrastructure development planning. The results indicate that the surface layer (0–15 m) exhibits high resistivity (12.0–270.2 Ωm), suggesting dry sandy material with high permeability and sufficient bearing capacity. Below 15–30 m, resistivity decreases (1.9–26.5 Ωm), indicating a water-saturated layer potentially functioning as an aquifer, which has implications for soil stability. The deepest layers (>30 m) show low resistivity (<5 Ωm), reflecting low-permeability materials less suitable for heavy construction, though some high-resistivity anomalies suggest dense sandstone formations suitable for foundations. These findings provide preliminary geotechnical zoning insights, aiding developers in selecting appropriate foundation locations, improving construction safety, and ensuring long-term infrastructure stability at University Syiah Kuala.

Review

This study presents a highly relevant and well-focused investigation into the subsurface soil characteristics of the western sector of Syiah Kuala University, aiming to support crucial infrastructure development. The application of Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) with a Schlumberger configuration across nine measurement points is a standard and appropriate methodology for this type of preliminary geotechnical assessment. The abstract clearly articulates the study's objective and provides a concise summary of the findings, indicating its direct practical utility for urban planning and construction safety within the university campus. The strength of this research lies in its clear delineation of distinct subsurface layers based on resistivity profiles. The identification of a high-resistivity surface layer (0–15 m) suggesting dry, sandy material with good bearing capacity is a significant finding for shallow foundation design. The subsequent decrease in resistivity at 15–30 m, interpreted as a water-saturated aquifer, provides essential information regarding potential groundwater issues and their implications for soil stability and construction dewatering. Furthermore, the abstract highlights the complexity of the deeper layers (>30 m), distinguishing between low-permeability materials less suitable for heavy construction and specific high-resistivity anomalies indicative of dense sandstone formations, which could be exploited for robust foundations. While the abstract provides a strong foundation, a comprehensive paper would benefit from further contextualization. For instance, elaborating on the specific geological background of the Kopelma Darussalam area or mentioning any prior geotechnical investigations that could validate or complement the VES data would strengthen the interpretations. Additionally, a brief discussion on the typical range of resistivity values for the suggested soil types in the region or the methodology used to define "anomalies" could enhance the scientific rigor. Nevertheless, the study successfully delivers preliminary geotechnical zoning insights that are undoubtedly valuable for developers, improving construction safety, and ensuring the long-term stability of infrastructure at Syiah Kuala University. This work represents a valuable contribution to applied geophysics in an engineering context.

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