Electrostatic multipole for electrical resistivity measurements at the decimetric scale

Non-invasive electrical resistivity studies at the decimetric scale can be achieved by using electrostatic multipoles. The reduction of the influence of electromagnetic induction at this scale facilitates the choice of frequency. We first present the hexapole instrument (six poles) comprising one transmitting current pair of poles and two different voltage pairs corresponding to two different depths of analysis: roughly 7 and 15 cm.Two different examples are then presented, illustrating the wide range of possible applications of this technique. Firstly, by measuring the electrical resistivity of the stone blocks of an historical building, it is possible to verify whether its builders took into account the stresses these blocks had to support, when choosing their position. Secondly, the characterisation and monitoring of cultivated soil compaction is illustrated on an experimental plot of land.