Experimental Investigation of Enhancing Earthing Through Soil Treatment Using High Material Conductivity

Abstract

This study presents an experimental investigation into enhancing grounding system performance through soil treatment using high-conductivity materials, focusing primarily on sodium chloride (NaCl) and bentonite. Test were conducted at a coastal site in Sabratha, Libya—characterized by high soil resistivity—the research evaluates the effectiveness of different NaCl layer thicknesses and parallel electrode configurations in reducing earthing resistance. Field measurements demonstrate that surrounding a vertical electrode with a 3-inch NaCl layer can reduce resistance by up to 73%, while combining multiple electrodes with NaCl treatment achieves reductions as high as 83%. Additionally, a comparative analysis with bentonite revealed that although both materials significantly lower resistance, NaCl proved more effective, achieving an 85.2% reduction versus 80.3% with bentonite. The results underscore the impact of ion-rich additives in improving soil conductivity and grounding efficiency, especially in dry or sandy environments. This paper offers practical guidance for engineers designing reliable and cost-effective grounding systems in challenging soil conditions, while also highlighting the need to consider long-term environmental and performance implications of chemical soil treatments.