TDEMmethod

TIME DOMAIN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC METHOD

The method of TDEM survey consists of
reconstructing the distribution of the real
resistivityofthesubsoilatmiddle elevateddepth
(upto300400m).
The typical configuration of investigation for
resistivity sounding is composed of a transmitter
connected to a loop of electric cable (square,
rectangularorcircular)placesonthegroundanda
receiving loop of the same dimensions. The
dimensionoftheloopisproportionaltothedepth
ofinvestigation(greateristheareaoftheloopand
greateristhedepthofinvestigation).
TheDCcurrentsentbythetransmitterintheloop
on the ground is a square wave with null phase
that is interrupted and redoubt to zero every
second quarter of period. The frequency of the
interruptions varies from 300 Hz, generally used
for investigations to small depths, to 0.075 Hz,
usedforinvestigatingtogreatdepths.
Theprincipleofoperation of the method is based
on the fact that, when a flow of DC current is
interrupted, it doesn't instantly decay to zero
provoking the variation of the primary magnetic
field.Thisvariationinstantlyinducesinthesubsoil,
in proximity of the transmitting cable, rings of
parasitic currents that spreads downward in the
subsoil and toward the outside. These currents
produce,tothemturn,asecondarymagneticfield
that opposes him to the variation of the primary
magneticfield.

Thevariationoftheintensitiesoftheparasitic
currents,andthedecadenceofthesecondary
magneticfieldareinfluencedbytheresistivity
ofthegroundsandthereforethemeasureof
this variation related to the time furnishes,
thanks to elaboration with special software,
the measure of the resistivity related to the
depth.
TheTDEMsurveyisusedforappraising:
1. Presence of underground water (deep
waterresearchupto300400m)
2. Depthofthebedrock
3. Locationoffaultsandrockfractures
4. Characterization of cave, projects of
infrastructures,landslide,etc.
Themaximumdepthofinvestigationisabout
300400mforsquareloopswithsideof150
200m.
Thedataareprocessedwithspecificsoftware
developed by the Polytechnic of Turin, that
allow the definition of 2D and 3D models of
thesubsoil.

1/3

Contact
Dott. Ing. Fabrizio Fantini

Techgea Srl
Office: Via Carlo Viola 78 Pont Saint Martin (AO)
Office: Via Modigliani 26/a 10137 TORINO
www.techgea.eu

Tel
Fax
Cell.
E-mail

+39 011700113
+39 0117077673
+39 3939009152
fantini@techgea.eu

TDEMmethod
DEEP GROUNDWATER WATER
RESEARCH
TDEMSECTIONINTHERMALAREA
Roofofartesian
aquifer
Deepwell
W64W8
Depositimorenici massieciottolicon
scarsamatricefine

W7
A
570

560

Alluvial

550
540

Basamento scisticonduttivi

530
Elevation [m a .s.l.]

520

Serpentines

510

Thermalaquifer

500
490

(altered
granites)

480
470
460

Flysch

450
440
430

Serpentines

420
0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

220

260

280

300

320

340

360

400

420

440

460

480

500

Thermalwater
interceptedbydeep
well

Fault
Colorscale

Electricalresistivity
30

380

Distance [m]

Raiseoftheraml
wateralongfault

[ohmm]

240

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

85

90

The TDEM section illustrated above has

beentracedinthethermalUludagarea
(Turkey),todefine:
1. the
geological
and
hydrogeological models of of
thermomineralwater
2. theextensionoftheaquifer
3. the potential productivity of the
aquiferfornewwaterwells.

2/3

Contact
Dott. Ing. Fabrizio Fantini

Techgea Srl
Office: Via Carlo Viola 78 Pont Saint Martin (AO)
Office: Via Modigliani 26/a 10137 TORINO
www.techgea.eu

Tel
Fax
Cell.
E-mail

+39 011700113
+39 0117077673
+39 3939009152
fantini@techgea.eu

TDEMmethod
DEEP GEOLOGICAL MODELS
CHARACTERIZATIONOFLANDSLIDE
1050

Landslide
Detrito 1

Elevation (m)

1000

950

Dolomite
Dolomite
Detrito
3

900

1500
1200
1000
800
700
600
500
400

Dolomie
Dolomie
Vulcaniti

850

2000

Corp
o
BoreholeBH1
fran
landslide
a2BH1
(atti
Detrito 2
vo)

S+0

S+20

S+40

S+60

S+80

S+100

S+120

300
200

Vulcaniti
Vulcaniti

S+140

100

S+160
Ohm m

Distance [ m ]

The TDEM section illustrated above has

been traced on an ancient body of
landslidecharacterized by several phases
of gravitational movement, sets on a
dolomite/volcanic bedrock. Compared
with other geophysical methods, TDEM
has a very favorable rratio between
length of the section and depth of
investigation. For the example showed
above, the maximum depth of
investigationisabout200mversusatotal
lengthofthesectionof160m.Asforthe
geoelectrical survey, the passage from
the physical model (distribution of the
electrical resistivity), to the geologic
model (stratigraphy) is obtained by
calibrationwithboreholeslogs.

3/3

Contact
Dott. Ing. Fabrizio Fantini

Techgea Srl
Office: Via Carlo Viola 78 Pont Saint Martin (AO)
Office: Via Modigliani 26/a 10137 TORINO
www.techgea.eu

Tel
Fax
Cell.
E-mail

+39 011700113
+39 0117077673
+39 3939009152
fantini@techgea.eu