Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus for determining geo-electric data and the density of a porous material. A resistivity-measuring device applies an electrical current through an electrode array to that is part of a non-electrical conductive test cell that is used to measure the resistivity of the porous material that is the test cell. The test cell is a made of a rigid non-electrically conductive material and is a standard shape and dimension. The material that is the test specimen is compacted into the test cell using a standard technique so that the physical properties of the test specimen my calculated. In addition to making a set of standard physical measurement (material unit density and unit moisture content) the test cell is used to measure electrical properties of the test specimen so that a set of electrical constants can be determined for the material under test.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the hydraulic conductivity of porous materials is disclosed. The method uses a general permeability equation for calculating the hydraulic conductivity. The resistivity of the porous material is measured when the porous material is at least partially saturated with a pore filling fluid. Other data, such as a formation factor, permeability constants of the porous material, and in situ moisture content of the porous material may also be derived or measured. The geophysical permeability equation is then used to calculate the hydraulic conductivity of the porous material from the measurements and data. Methods are also disclosed which provide an average hydraulic conductivity over a given area. A device for determining hydraulic conductivity of a porous material is disclosed which utilizes a plurality of electrodes for conducting electricity to the porous material. A resistivity meter may be attached between the electrodes for measuring the resistivity.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and device for determining the in-situ density of a porous material. A resistivity measuring device applies an electrical current through an electrode array to measure the resistivity of the porous material. The resistivity measuring device may also be used to measure the resistivity of a pore filling fluid. A formation factor and in-situ density constants of the porous material are determined using empirical methods. In-situ moisture content of the porous material is determined. The above data is applied to a general geophysical in-situ density equation to calculate the in-situ density of the porous material.