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Soil Modelling and Analysis

Soil Modelling and Analysis:

A soil model, or sometimes referred to as a ground profile, is obtained by processing soil resistivity testing data (see above or on the dedicated service page for soil resistivity surveys) through industry leading CDEGS software, which enables Doksun Power engineers to assess the ways in which the mass of earth in the survey area will disperse electrical current. Whilst Doksun Power can only underwrite the veracity of input data that its own engineers have acquired, the company is able to process and analyse soil resistivity survey data that has been supplied by others, and this service is often used by companies without the same software capacity as Doksun Power. Soil models will define the number of layers there are in the earth within the given survey depth, and how each respective layer behaves when electrical current is introduced. This analysis, when combined with performance requirements, national standards and codes of practice will enable the development of an electrical earth system design.

Soil modelling and analysis

Before a soil model can be produced a soil resistivity survey must be conducted to obtain input data for analysis; to learn more about this service that Doksun Power offers please refer to the dedicated service page on this website for soil resistivity surveys. Soil modelling and and analysis is the process of computing raw data obtained from a site specific soil resistivity survey and then interpreting its outcome. The purpose of undertaking both soil resistivity surveys and soil modelling is to establish the characteristics of how the ground in a particular location dissipates electrical current. The information gained from such activities provide input data for creating an electrical earthing system design, as the soil modelling and analysis instructs how the location will dissipate electrical current in the event of a fault current event.

Some organizations dispute the need for undertaking either full, and approved methodologically based, soil resistivity surveys  or the soil modelling that follows them. Doksun Power considers this legacy mindset to be backward looking, willfully neglectful, and evidence that those organizations lack sufficient electrical earthing knowledge to warrant passing an opinion on the subject; after all it is surprising how unnecessary any service or product seems when you cannot offer it and do not understand – thankfully Doksun Power has the expertise and capacity to support customers in this way.

Soil modelling inputs: Evaluation of data

When Doksun Power engineers undertake a soil resistivity survey they package the data set, along with an amount of other relevant information back to the servers in the Nottingham office whereupon the design team immediately analyse it to ensure that the obtained results are sufficient for development into a soil model. CDEGS software helps engineers interpret the data and determine anomalous results.

Soil modelling communication: Confirmation of acceptability to site engineers

Doksun Power office-based engineers responsible for evaluating transmitted data sets can swiftly determine the acceptability of a data set for advancement to soil modelling stage. In the rare case that the transmitted data is unacceptable then the site testing team will undertake further testing and transmit again; for more information on this aspect of Doksun Power’ provision please refer to the dedicated soil resistivity testing page of this website or get in touch through the contact page of this website. In the event that the data set is approved then the office engineering team will communicate to the testing engineers on site that they are able to cease the testing process.

Soil modelling: Data input and processing through CDEGS

Once the dataset has been determined to be acceptable it is  processed by Doksun Power technical engineers to convert it into a useful, and easy to comprehend soil model. Having trained engineers who are familiar with CDEGS enables Doksun Power to quickly crunch the numbers to establish the likely structure and electrical conductivity of the ground beneath the testing locations. Following this the software generates a soil model for analysis and evaluation.

Soil modelling outputs: Evaluation of computed output

When Doksun Power engineers have completed the processes that generate the soil model it is important that the output is thoroughly analysed and peer reviewed. As it is possible to convert every soil resistivity survey “run” into a soil model, and as Doksun Power testing engineers will often undertake as many as twelve runs over two testing instruments, it is possible that twelve soil models will be produced. It is at this time that Doksun Power’ experienced engineers will interpret that data set and be able to determine the most representative of the sub-strata of the site in question.

Soil modelling ouputs: Generation of soil model

When all soil modelling computation is complete and a soil model is evaluated and reviewed it is imperative that customers receive the information and that it be presented in a fashion which they can easily comprehend. The soil model is presented in tabular format, supported by evidence in the forms of graphical presentations, the data harvested from the soil resistivity surveys and also the computed results.

Soil modelling outputs: Compilation and submittal of report

Once all documentary evidence and design outputs are produced they are aggregated into a report, which is then transmitted to the customer in an appropriate way. The reports are clear, concise, and above all accurate, and it is for this reason that so many customers find their way to Doksun Power.

To learn more about the next stage of the process, which is the design of the electrical earthing system, please click on the button.