Horizontal Multilayer Soil Parameter Estimation Through Differential Evolution

This paper presents a methodology to represent an unknown soil through a stratified horizontal multilayer soil model. It uses the experimental electrical apparent resistivity curve, obtained by measurements on the ground, using a 4-wire earth ground resistance tester kit, along with some calculations. This curve is then compared with the theoretical electrical apparent resistivity curve, obtained through calculations over a horizontally stratified soil, whose parameters are known. The horizontal multilayer soil model parameters, such as number of layers, in addition to the resistivity and thickness of each layer, are optimized by the Differential Evolution algorithm. In order for both apparent resistivity curves to get close, the model can be a representation of the unknown soil. We also present methodologies to verify the theoretical apparent resistivity calculations, by extending the characteristic curve approximation, and to improve error peaks between the apparent resistivity curves, by giving opportunities for other more uniform solutions to excel. A case study uses experimental data from other methods for further comparisons.