Vol. 9 No. 1 (2026)
Open Access
Peer Reviewed

SUBSURFACE SOIL CHARACTERISATION USING VERTICAL ELECTRICAL SOUNDING FOR SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AT SYIAH KUALA UNIVERSITY

Authors

Amsir Amsir , Zakia Masrurah , Nurul Aflah , Agus Hari Pramana , Haqul Baramsyah

DOI:

10.29303/ipr.v9i1.529

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Received: Jul 10, 2025
Accepted: Sep 29, 2025
Published: Oct 15, 2025

Abstract

This study characterises the subsurface soil properties in the western sector of Syiah Kuala University, specifically the Kopelma Darussalam area, using Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) with a Schlumberger configuration. Nine measurement points were deployed to obtain resistivity profiles supporting infrastructure development planning. The results indicate that the surface layer (0–15 m) exhibits high resistivity (12.0–270.2 Ωm), suggesting dry sandy material with high permeability and sufficient bearing capacity. Below 15–30 m, resistivity decreases (1.9–26.5 Ωm), indicating a water-saturated layer potentially functioning as an aquifer, which has implications for soil stability. The deepest layers (>30 m) show low resistivity (<5 Ωm), reflecting low-permeability materials less suitable for heavy construction, though some high-resistivity anomalies suggest dense sandstone formations suitable for foundations. These findings provide preliminary geotechnical zoning insights, aiding developers in selecting appropriate foundation locations, improving construction safety, and ensuring long-term infrastructure stability at University Syiah Kuala.

Keywords:

Soil Characterization VES Infrastructure Universitas Syah Kuala

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Author Biographies

Amsir Amsir, Geophysics Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Syiah Kuala University, Indonesia

Zakia Masrurah, Geophysics Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Syiah Kuala University, Indonesia

Nurul Aflah, Mining Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Syiah Kuala University, Indonesia

Agus Hari Pramana, Mining Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Syiah Kuala University, Indonesia

Haqul Baramsyah, Mining Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Syiah Kuala University, Indonesia

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How to Cite

Amsir, A., Masrurah, Z., Aflah, N., Pramana, A. H., & Baramsyah, H. (2025). SUBSURFACE SOIL CHARACTERISATION USING VERTICAL ELECTRICAL SOUNDING FOR SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AT SYIAH KUALA UNIVERSITY. Indonesian Physical Review, 9(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.29303/ipr.v9i1.529

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