CALCULATING RESISTANCE OF SIMPLE

GROUNDING FORMS WITH OR WITHOUT

THE SOIL IMPROVED CHEMICAL
SUBSTANCE
Chuong Ho Van Nhat
Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
HCM City University of Technology, Vietnam

Abstract.- Solution of chemical substance application for

decreasing resistance of grounding system is a current problem
that is interested by scientists [1]-[2]. In present time, some of
companies introduced and used the chemical substances for
improving soil and enclosed the software for calculating the
experimental grounding resistance but there is not any theoretic
document that explains it. This article suggested some common
formulas for calculating resistance of simple grounding forms
with or without the soil improved chemical substance.
Calculating results that were compared with results of GEM
software of ERICO Company [3] were realized.
Fig .1 Vertical section of grounding rod and its image in
1. CALCULATING METHOD uniformed environment
1.1 Grounding Resistance of single vertical rod 2t +l / 2
l/2
2 t +1 / 2
ϕ ( x) = ∫−l / 2
dϕ ( z , x ) = ∫ dϕ ( z , x ) + ∫
2 t −1 / 2
dϕ (z , x ) (2)
1.1.1 Soil improved chemical substance layer of cylinder form −l / 2

Iρ ⎡ ⎛ l ⎞ ⎛ 2 t +1 / 2 ⎞ ⎛ 2t −1 / 2 ⎞ ⎤
= 2 Arsh ⎜ ⎟ + Arsh ⎜ ⎟ − Arsh ⎜ ⎟⎥
Single vertical rod with diameter d , length l and 4π l ⎢⎣ ⎝ 2x ⎠ ⎝ x ⎠ ⎝ x ⎠⎦
resistivity ρ3 is fixed in the ground with depth t , surround it
the chemical environment with resistivity ρ1 and the soil
with Arsh( x )=ln ( x )+ x +1 . [ 2
] After some
transformations, we receive:
environment with resistivity ρ2 (see Fig .1)
Iρ ⎡⎢ ⎛⎜ l + 4x + l ⎞⎟ ⎛⎜ (4t +l )2 +4x2 +4t +l ⎞⎟⎤⎥
2 2
(3)
ϕ ( x) = 2 ln +ln
Choosing coordinates system as in Fig.1 and considering 4π l ⎢ ⎜ 2x ⎟ ⎜ (4t −l )2 +4x2 +4t −l ⎟⎠⎥⎦
⎣ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝
the potential at point (x,z), according to [4], we have
1.1.1.1 Grounding resistance of vertical rod with the soil
Iρdz improved chemical substance
ϕ ( z, x) = ∫ (1)
This resistance consists of three components (see Fig. 2):
4πl z 2 + x 2

Where I is current flows through the rod, ρ is resistivity

of environment at point (x, z) and l is the length of rod.
For simplifying the calculation, we can use the reflect
method and the soil is a uniformed environment with
resistivity ρ. So, the potential along the rod is calculated as
follows:

Fig.2 Grounding rod with chemical substance

978-1-4244-4813-5/10/$25.00 ©2010 IEEE

a. The component in the metal environment We wish that for calculating grounding resistance value
The potential function with or without the chemical substance we only use a form of
Δ ϕ 1 = ϕ (0) − ϕ (d / 2) a common formula. So, the formula for calculating such
with ρ = ρ3. From (3), we have: equivalent grounding resistance value will be recommended in
Iρ 3 ⎡ ⎛ 4 t + l ⎞⎤ this paper.
(4)
ϕ (0 ) = ⎢ ln ⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎥
4 π l ⎣ ⎜⎝ 4 t − l ⎠⎦ The single vertical rod with the chemical layer is
converted into equivalent one that has resistivity of metal
and Iρ 3 ⎡ ⎛ 2 l ⎞ 1 ⎛ 4t+l ⎞⎤ (5)
ϕ (d / 2) = ⎢ ln ⎜ ⎟ + ln ⎜⎜
2π l ⎣ ⎝ d ⎠ 2
⎟⎟ ⎥ made up rod ρ 3 and equivalent diameter DC. This resistance
⎝ 4t−l ⎠⎦
From (4) and (5), we receive value consists of only two components (see Fig. H3).
Iρ 3 ⎡ ⎛ 2 l ⎞ ⎤ (6) Calculating similarly as the points (1.1.1.1a, c), we have:
Δϕ1 = ln ⎜ ⎟
2 π l ⎢⎣ ⎝ d ⎠ ⎥⎦ a. The component in the metal environment
So, the resistance value of this component ρ3 ⎡ ⎛ 2l ⎞⎤ (13)
Δϕ1 ρ 3 ⎡ ⎛ 2l ⎞⎤ (7) R1 '= ⎢ ln ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎥
R1 = = ln ⎜ ⎟ 2π l ⎣ ⎝ DC ⎠⎦
I 2 π l ⎢⎣ ⎝ d ⎠ ⎥⎦
b. The component in the chemical environment b. The component in the soil environment
The potential function ρ1 ⎡ ⎛ (4t + l)4l 2 ⎞⎤ (14)
Δϕ = ϕ ( d / 2 ) − ϕ (C ) R 3' = ⎢ ln ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎥
2 4 π l ⎢⎣ 2
⎝ (4t − l)D C ⎠ ⎦⎥
with ρ = ρ2.
when x= d /2, x=C and note that
2
⎛ d ⎞ 2 , we have Δϕ2
⎜ ⎟ << (4 t + l )
⎝ 2 ⎠
Iρ ⎡ ⎛ 2l ⎞ 1 ⎛ 4t + l ⎞
Δϕ2 = 2 ⎢ln⎜ ⎟ + ln⎜ ⎟−
2πl ⎣ ⎝ d ⎠ 2 ⎝ 4t − l ⎠ (8)

ln⎜
(
⎛ l 2 + 4C 2 + l ⎞ 1 ⎛
⎟ − ln⎜ ) (4t + l )2 + 4C 2 + 4t + l ⎞⎟⎤⎥
⎜ 2C ⎟ 2 ⎜ (4t − l )2 + 4C 2 + 4t − l ⎟⎠⎥⎦
⎝ ⎠ ⎝
Δ ϕ 2 Fig .3 Grounding rod and its image
R 2 =
I Total resistance: RC = R’1 + R’3
ρ 2 ⎡ ⎛ 2l ⎞ 1 ⎛ 4t + l ⎞ 1 ⎡ ⎛ (4t + l )4l 2 ⎞ ⎛ 2l ⎞⎤ (15)
R2 = ln⎜ ⎟ + ln⎜ ⎟−
2πl ⎢⎣ ⎝ d ⎠ 2 ⎝ 4t − l ⎠ (9) RC = ⎢ (ρ 1 / 2 ) ln ⎜⎜ ⎟ + ρ 3 ln ⎜⎜
2 ⎟
⎟⎟ ⎥
2π l ⎣ ⎝ ( 4 t − l ) D C ⎠ ⎝ DC ⎠⎦
⎛
ln⎜
(l 2
)
+ 4C 2 + l ⎞⎟ 1 ⎛⎜
− ln
(4t + l )2 + 4C 2 + 4t + l ⎞⎟⎤⎥ From (12) and (15), we receive
⎜ 2C ⎟ 2 ⎜ (4t − l )2 + 4C 2 + 4t − l ⎟⎠⎥⎦
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎛ ρ2 + ρ3 ⎞ ⎛ ρ1 − ρ 2 ⎞
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
c. The component in the soil environment DC = d ⎝ ρ 3 + ρ1 ⎠
( 2C ) ⎝ ρ 3 + ρ1 ⎠
(16)
Δϕ 3 = ϕ (C ) − ϕ (∞) with ρ =
The potential function
Hence, we can convert single grounding vertical rod
ρ1. Because of ϕ(∞) = 0, Δϕ 3 = ϕ (C ) . So: ( d , l ,ρ3) with the chemical substance (C, l , ρ2) into another
(10) (see Fig.4) with the length l , the resistivity ρ3 and the
Iρ1 ⎡ ⎛⎜ l 2 + 4C 2 + l ⎞⎟ ⎛ (4t + l )2 + 4C 2 + 4t + l ⎞⎟⎤⎥
Δϕ3 = ϕ(C) = ⎢2 ln + ln⎜ diameter DC is calculated by equation (16).
⎜
4πl ⎢ ⎜⎝
⎣
2C ⎟
⎠ ⎝ (4t − l )2 + 4C 2 + 4t − l ⎟⎠⎥⎦
Δϕ3 ρ1 ⎡ ⎛⎜ l 2 + 4C 2 + l ⎞⎟ 1 ⎛⎜
(4t + l )2 + 4C 2 + 4t + l ⎞⎟⎤⎥ (11)
R3 = = ⎢ln + ln
I 2πl ⎢ ⎜⎝ 2C ⎟ 2 ⎜
(4t − l )2 + 4C 2 + 4t − l ⎟⎠⎥⎦
⎣ ⎠ ⎝
At last, the total resistance value:
R C = R1 + R 2 + R 3

In reality, a thickness of the chemical layer C is very

Fig .4 Equivalent grounding rod
smaller than the rod length l (C<< l ). Therefore, from (7),
(9) and (11), we have: In reality, ρ 3 ≈ 0 , we have:
⎡ ⎛ ⎞ (12) ρ1 ⎡ 2l 1 ⎛ (4t + l) ⎞⎤ (17)
R =
1
(ρ ) ln ⎜ l 4 t + l ⎟
⎢ ⎜ C
R = ⎢ ln + ln ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎥
4 t − l ⎟⎠
C
C
2 π l ⎢⎣
1
⎝ 2π l ⎣ D C 2 ⎝ (4t − l) ⎠⎦
⎛ 2 C ⎞ ⎛ 2 l ⎞ ⎤ ⎛ ρ2 ⎞ ⎛ ρ1 − ρ 2 ⎞
+ ρ ρ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
ln ⎜ ⎟ + ln ⎜ ⎟ ⎥
⎝ ρ1 ρ1
With DC = d (18)
2 3
⎠ ⎝ ⎠
⎝ d ⎠ ⎝ d ⎠ ⎦ (2C )
1.1.1.2 Grounding resistance value of equivalent vertical rod
If there is not the chemical substance layer, then ρ 2 = ρ1
and (15), (16) will become [5]-[7]:
 ρ1 ⎡ 2l 1 ⎛ (4t + l) ⎞⎤ (19) We use the calculating method as in the point (1.1.1.1)
R C = ⎢ ln + ln ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎥
and receive result as follows :
2π l ⎣ d 2 ⎝ (4t − l) ⎠⎦
With D C = d RT = R1 + R 2 + R3 RT
1.1.2 Soil improved chemical substance layer of rectangular 1⎡ ⎛ l2 ⎞ (26)
RT = ⎢ (ρ 1 ) ln ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
prism form 2π l ⎣ ⎝ C (2t − C ) ⎠
We consider the single vertical rod with diameter d , ⎛ C (2t − C ) ⎞
+ ρ 2 ln ⎜ ⎟ + ρ 3 ln
d ⎤
⎝ dt ⎠ 2 l ⎥⎦
length l and resistivity ρ3. Surround it the chemical substance
layer with resistivity ρ1 and the soil environment with 1.2.1.2 Grounding resistance value of equivalent horizontal
conductor
resistivity ρ2 . It is fixed in the ground with the depth t and the
We use the calculating method as in the point (1.1.1.2)
chemical substance layer has the dimensions a × b × l in and receive the result as follows:
Fig.5
RT = R1' + R2'
1 ⎡ ⎛ l2 ⎞ ⎛ D T ⎞⎤ (29)
RT = ⎢ ρ 1 ln ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ + ρ 3 ln ⎜ ⎟⎥
2πl ⎣ ⎝ tD T ⎠ ⎝ 2l ⎠⎦

From formulas (26) and (29), we have:

⎛ ρ 3 − ρ 2 ⎞ ⎛ ρ1 − ρ 2 ⎞ ⎛ ρ 2 − ρ1 ⎞
⎜⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟
ρ 3 − ρ 1 ⎟⎠ ⎜⎝ ρ 3 − ρ 1 ⎟⎠ ρ 3 − ρ 1 ⎟⎠
DT = d ⎝ t [ C ( 2 t − C )] ⎝ (30)
Fig.5 Single grounding vertical rod with the chemical
substance layer
In this case, we can convert the rectangular prism form
into a cylinder form with its radius C [8]
4 ab (20)
C =
π
and we will receive the formulas as in the case of the cylinder
form soil improved chemical substance layer. Fig.7. Equivalent grounding horizontal conductor
Hence, we can convert single horizontal rod ( d , l , ρ3)
1.2 Grounding resistance of single horizontal conductor with the chemical substance (C, l , ρ2) into another (Fig.7)
1.2.1 Solid improved chemical substance layer cylinder form:
with the length l , the resistivity ρ3 and the diameter DC is
Single horizontal conductor with diameter d , length l calculated by the equation (30).
and resistivity ρ3 is fixed in the ground with the depth t . In reality, ρ 3 ≈ 0 , we have:
Surround it the chemical environment with resistivity ρ1 and
the soil environment with resistivity ρ2 in Fig.6 ρ 1 ⎡ ⎛ l 2
⎞ ⎤
R T = ⎢ ln ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎥
2 π l ⎣ ⎝ tD T ⎠ ⎦
(31)
⎛ ρ2 ⎞ ⎛ ρ 2 − ρ1 ⎞ ⎛ ρ1 − ρ 2 ⎞
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ ρ1 ρ1 ρ1
(32)
DT = d ⎠
t⎝ ⎠
[ C ( 2 t − C )] ⎝ ⎠

When without the chemical substance, ρ 2 = ρ1 and the

Fig.6 Single grounding horizontal conductor with the chemical formulas (31), (32) will become [9]-[12]
substance layer ρ 1 ⎡ ⎛ l 2 ⎞ ⎤
R = ⎢ ln ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎥
Applying (1) and after some transformations, we T
2 π l ⎣ ⎝ dt ⎠ ⎦
found the magnetic field that is created by the horizontal (33)
conductor at the point (x, z) (34)
D T = d
Iρ ⎡⎛ l ⎞ ⎛ l ⎞
2 ⎤ (21)
ϕ1(x) = ln ⎢ ⎜ ⎟ + ⎜ ⎟ + 1⎥ 1.2.2 Soil improved chemical substance layer of rectangular
2π l ⎢⎝ 2 x ⎠ ⎝ 2x ⎠ ⎥
⎣ ⎦ prism form
and the magnetic field that is created by the image of the
horizontal conductor at the point (x, z):
⎡ ⎤ (22) 2
Iρ ⎛ l ⎞ ⎛ l ⎞
ϕ 2 (x) = ln ⎢ ⎜⎜ ⎟+ ⎥
⎜⎜ 2 ( 2 t − x ) ⎟⎟ + 1 ⎥
2π l ⎢ ⎝ 2 ( 2 t − x ) x ⎟⎠ ⎝ ⎠
⎣ ⎦

1.2.1.1 Grounding resistance of horizontal conductor with the Fig.8. Single horizontal conductor with the chemical substance
soil improved chemical substance
 Similar as above, we can convert a conductor of the
rectangular prism form (see Fig.8) into a cylinder with radius
C is calculated by formula (20) and receive the formulas as in
the case of the cylinder form soil improved chemical
substance layer.
2. CALCULATING APPLICATION
2.1 Calculating data
We use the following data: resistivity of ground 10.000
Ωcm ; resistivity of chemical substance 12 Ωcm ; resistivity of
metal rod 0.000178 Ωcm
a. In table B1: the diameter of a rod 2 cm ; the diameter
of a cylinder hole 22 cm
b. In table B2: the diameter of a rod 2 cm ; the diameter
of a cylinder hole 22cm ; the number of rods 4 ; the depth of a
cylinder hole 50 cm.
c. In table B3 and B4: the diameter of horizontal
conductor 4cm ; the length and width of a hole section
100cm × 150cm ; the depth of a hole 50 cm.
2.2 Compared results between this paper and GEM software
of ERCO Company
TABLE 01.
CALCULATING RESULTS OF SINGLE VERTICAL ROD
TABLE 02.
CALCULATING RESULTS OF SYSTEM OF VERTICAL ROD
Note:”spacing” is distance between two vertical rods
TABLE 03.
CALCULATING RESULTS OF SINGLE HORIZONTAL CONDUCTOR
Note:”a, b are the length, width of a hole section
TABLE 04.
CALCULATING RESULTS OF SINGLE HORIZONTAL CONDUCTOR
Comment: From data in 2 tables B1 and B2, calculating results
of resistance values for single vertical rod and system of
vertical rods showed that the results of this paper and GEM
software are approximate. The data from B3 and B4, the error
between two calculating results is not great with short length
of horizontal conductor and is approximate with long.
3. CONCLUSIONS
1). We received formulas for calculating the resistance of
simple grounding forms with influence of the soil improved
chemical substance.
2). We received formulas for calculating the equivalent
diameter of simple grounding forms with influence of the soil
improved chemical substance.
3). We can use the common formulas for calculating the
resistance of simple grounding forms with or without the soil
improved chemical substance.
4. REFERENCES
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system of the line and transformer with high voltage
of HoChiMinh City power company, HoChiMinh 2004.
[3]. ERICO Company LTD. The GEM software for Cal-
culating grounding resistance.
[4]. Nathan Ida. Engineering Electromagnetics. Hamilton
Printing Co., Rensselaser, NY., 2000.
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substation grounding.
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