Electrical response of two-phase soil: Theory and applications

A general frequency-domain solution for electrical response of two-phase dilute (high porosity) soil is presented. Tensorial character of the response in terms of dielectric constants as well as the resistivities of the constituents is illustrated. For transversely isotropic soils a single measurement at 55° to the axis of symmetry can predict scalar parameters such as porosity of soils or conductivity and dielectric constant of pore fluid or particles. Under special cases the results reduce to some well-known relationships. Important characteristics of the dielectric formation factor are highlighted. Effects of particle concentrations on the electric response are introduced. The semitheoretical solutions taking into account the effects of particle concentrations do not deviate very much from the solution based on dilute particle arrangement. Beneficial effects of clay-water interaction on dielectric response are discussed. Applicability of the theory is examined using experimental data.