Two-dimensional DC resistivity mapping for subsurface investigation using soft computing approaches

Abstract

In geophysical subsurface surveys, difficulty to interpret measurement of data obtain from the equipment are risen. Data provided by the equipment did not indicate subsurface condition specifically and deviates from the expected standard due to numerous features. Generally, the data that obtained from the laws of physics computation is known as forward problem. And the process of obtaining the data from sets of measurements and reconstruct the model is known as inverse problem. Researchers have proposed multiple estimation techniques to cater the inverse problem and provide estimation that close to actual model. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of using artificial neural network (ANN) in solving two- dimensional (2-D) direct current (DC) resistivity mapping for subsurface investigation, in which the algorithms are based on the radial basis function (RBF) model and the multi-layer perceptron (MLP) model. Conventional approach of least square (LS) method is used as a benchmark and comparative study with the proposed algorithms. In order to train the proposed algorithms, several synthetic data are generated using RES2DMOD software based on hybrid Wenner-Schlumberger configurations. Results are compared between the proposed algorithms and least square method in term of its effectiveness and error variations to the actual values. It is discovered that the proposed algorithms have offered better performance in term minimum error difference to the actual model, as compared to least square method. Simulation results demonstrate that proposed algorithms can solve the inverse problem and it can be illustrated by means of the 2-D graphical mapping.