Many civil engineering problems resulting from the presence of gypsum soil near the surface and the water table in shallow depth led to the solubility of the soil and creates a subsurface weak area in Ramadi city. 2D and 3D electrical resistivity imaging were applied using a Dipole-dipole array with an n-factor of 6 and a-spacing values of 2 m. Imaging data sets have been acquired along five traverses with a line distance of 4 meters. The inversion model is generated by the robust inversion model constraint method, which clearly shows that the boundary of the weak area is sharper and straighter. The results show the presence of two main zones, the first represents the topsoil layer which extends to a depth of 2.5 m with a resistivity ranging from 28 to 312 Ωm. The second zone is located at 2.5 m depth and extends to 10 m with a resistivity value ranging from 0.267 to 28 Ωm. The variation of the water table, inhomogeneity of the sediment, weak areas, and sedimentation lenses are the main reasons for the failure of civil engineering. These failures may cause many problems such as wall cracks, foundation damage, and building collapses.

Ramadi city, western Iraq, is considered an area with risks resulting from the presence of gypsum soil near the surface and the water table on shallow depth which facilitates the solubility of the soil and creates a weak area. So a dipole-dipole array with an n factor of 6 and a -spacing of 2 m was used. Ten 2D resistivity imaging traverses and 3D resistivity imaging station were done. The robust constrained inversion method is used to obtain 2D and 3D models. The results show that the topsoil layer extends to 2m depth with resistivity of 800 to 4000 Ωm. This is caused by high inhomogeneities in the deposits. The weakness zones and Depositional lenses appears after 2m depth and extent to 9m with resistivity value extend from 200 to 800 Ωm. Finally, it is concluded that four main reasons for civil engineering failure in Ramadi city. These reasons may be the inhomogeneity of the underground deposition material. In addition, the existence of weak areas and sedimentation lenses, and the change of water table.