This paper presents a case study where geophysics was successfully applied to solve a complex problem associated with a tunnel excavation accident in an urban area. It presents and describes the results obtained with geoelectrical methods applied in an emergencial task in a risky urban area in São Paulo City. It also compares the techniques and field arrays, ways to present and interpret the data. The employed methods were electroresistivity, induced polarization (IP) and self potential (SP). The objective of the survey was to delineate the extension of a roof failure of an urban tunnel under excavation beneath the Ibirapuera Park in order to orientate the volume of tunnel roof should be treated. Only two days (Saturday and Sunday) were available to carry out the survey and its interpretation. The results were considered satisfactory and brought a significant economy to the final cost of the tunnel. This economy was due to the decreasing of the remediation area from the initial 20 x 20 m (estimated by the engineers) to 3 x 5 m (estimated by the geophysical survey).
Applied geophysics; Urban geophysics; São Paulo Basin
