GROUND PENETRATING
RADAR
A geotechnical investigation.
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INTRODUCTION
• Ground probing radar commonly known as ground penetrating
radar(GPR) is a electromagnetic geophysical technique used for
subsurface exploration and imaging. It works by emitting
electromagnetic pulses into the ground and recording the reflections
that bounce back from various subsurface features.
• It is a non-destructive method used to investigate the location
underground utilities such as concrete, asphalt layers, metals, pipes,
cables or masonry
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History and trends of gpr
• The development of ground-penetrating radar can be traced back to the early 20th century.
The concept of using radar for subsurface exploration emerged during World War II when
military researchers sought ways to detect buried objects, including land mines, underground
bunkers and tunnels. After the guns went silent in 1945, the technology found applications in
civilian domains like archaeology, space exploration( The Apollo 17 lunar program), geological
investigations
• In the 1950s and 1960s, significant advancements in radar technology, particularly the
development of high-frequency antennas and improved signal processing techniques, paved
the way for more effective GPR systems. The 1970s and 1980s saw increased adoption of GPR
in fields like archaeology and geophysics. Over time, the technology has continued to evolve
with advancements in antenna design, signal processing algorithms, and the integration of
GPR with other geophysical methods. The evolution of computer software's further drive
innovation to be capable of managing the large volumes of information in digital form and
manipulate them quickly became routine. As a result, acquisition of data on grids to make
maps and grids and 3D visualization became practical.
• The commercial market and demand resulted in a variety of different and simpler systems
such as the Noggin from Sensors & Software Inc.
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GPR system being used to survey potential pipeline routes in
the Canadian Arctic (1975).
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Components of a gpr machine
• Transmitter: emits short pulses of electromagnetic waves into the ground.
• The receiver: detects the electromagnetic waves that are reflected back from subsurface
objects and features.
• The control unit: It houses the electronics responsible for generating the radar pulse that is
transmitted into the ground by the antenna. It also includes a computer and a hard disk or
solid-state memory for storing data collected during fieldwork, which can be examined later.
• Two antennas, one which works receives the electrical pulse produced by the control unit,
amplifies it and transmits it to the ground or other medium. The other antenna is involved in
capturing the reflected rays from the underground and transmitting the signal for data storage.
• Antenna frequency is a major factor in depth penetration. The higher the frequency of the
antenna, the shallower into the ground it will penetrate. A higher frequency antenna will also
‘see’ smaller targets. Antenna choice is one of the most important factors in survey design.
• Power source: provides the energy needed to emit electromagnetic pulses, capture reflected
signals
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FIG 1. Components of a GPR machine
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Depth Penetration in different materials
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OPERATION
• GPR works by sending electromagnetic pulses of energy into a material underground and recording the strength and the time required for the return of
any reflected signal.
• A series of pulses are transmitted over a single area to make up what is called a scan.
• Reflections are produced whenever the energy pulse interacts with materials of different electrical conduction properties or dielectric permittivity.
Dielectric permittivity is a measure of a material's ability to store electrical energy in an electric field. The strength, or amplitude, of the reflection is
determined by the contrast in the dielectric constants and conductivities of the materials. This means that a pulse which moves from dry sand
(dielectric of 5) to wet sand (dielectric of 30) will produce a very strong reflection, while moving from dry sand (5) to limestone (7) will produce a
relatively weak reflection. This is because dielectric conductivity is directly proportional to the amount of water fund in pores of a material.
• While some of the GPR energy pulse is reflected back to the antenna, energy also keeps traveling through the material until it either dissipates
(attenuates) or the GPR control unit has closed its time window. The rate of signal attenuation varies widely and is dependent on the properties of the
material through which the pulse is passing.
• Metals are considered to be a complete reflector and do not allow any amount of signal to pass through. Materials beneath a metal sheet, fine metal
mesh, or pan decking will not be visible.
• When the GPR system emits radar energy, it disperses in a cone shape beneath the antenna. This means that the energy doesn’t just travel straight
down, but spreads out in different directions below the antenna. The time taken to record a signal is referred to as a two-way travel time, it is the time
taken for the radar energy to travel from the antenna to an object below and then return to the antenna. This time is used to calculate the depth of the
object.
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FIG 2. OPERATION
• Data sampling in image processing refers to
the process of selecting a subset of data
points from an image in order to analyze or
process it. This is often done to reduce the
amount of data that needs to be processed,
or to create a representation of the image
that can be more easily manipulated.
• Digitalization in image processing refers to
the process of converting an analog image
into a digital format, typically by sampling the
image at regular intervals and representing
the sampled values as discrete digital data.
• Signal processing is an electrical engineering
subfield that focuses on analyzing, modifying
and synthesizing signals such as images in
thus case.
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FIG 3. OPERATION
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FIG 6
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Application in geotechnical engineering
1. Road inspection
• This a method that used to assess the condition of roads and
pavement by using radar technology to detect subsurface anomalies
and defects. This non-destructive testing technique can identify issues
such as voids, cracks, and moisture penetration, allowing for targeted
repairs and maintenance to be carried out
• GPR aids in assessing subsurface conditions including soil moisture
content, density, and compaction, crucial for evaluating road stability
and performance, and helps prioritize maintenance efforts by
detecting pavement defects such as voids, cracks, and distress,
thereby prolonging road service life and ensuring user safety.
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Applications cont.
2. Railway infrastructure inspection
• GPR plays a vital role in railway inspection by providing precise insights into the
condition of embankments, detecting critical issues like leaks, subsidence, and
structural abnormalities, and accurately measuring the extent of damage caused by
erosion, settlement, or slope instability.
• GPR's sensitivity to changes in subsurface moisture content enables the timely
detection of leaks from underground water pipes or drainage systems, facilitating
prompt repairs to prevent further deterioration.
• GPR identifies subsurface voids, sinkholes, and areas of settlement, aiding in the
early detection of potential hazards and allowing railway authorities to implement
preventive measures like soil stabilization or embankment reinforcement.
Additionally, it serves as an early warning system for geohazards such as landslides
and slope instability, enabling proactive mitigation measures and ensuring safe rail
operations.
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3. Concrete Scanning
• GPR can be used for a variety of concrete inspection applications,
including assessing the condition of bridges, tunnels, buildings, and
other concrete structures. It is a valuable tool for identifying
potential issues within concrete that may not be visible to the
naked eye. GPR is used in concrete to determine the location of
reinforcement bars, conduits, or post-tensioned cables present in
the concrete element. This is conducted by employing a high-
frequency GPR system.
• The GPR can be conducted in simple line scans, which determines
the thickness of concrete. To determine a specific target within the
concrete, the scan can be performed in grid formats. The results
are obtained for different parts of the concrete in the form of
images. These are combined to get a final 3D map of the picture.
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Applications cont.
4. Dam inspection
• GPR is essential in inspecting and evaluating the integrity of dam
structures, enabling engineers to detect anomalies like cracks, voids,
and weaknesses, providing valuable insights into the overall health of
the dam.
• GPR aids in identifying leaks or seepage paths that may compromise
the stability and functionality of the dam over time, allowing
engineers to take proactive measures to address potential issues.
• Data collected from GPR surveys facilitates accurate calculations and
assessments, assisting in the determination of necessary
reconstruction or repair measures to maintain the structural integrity
and safety of the dam.
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Applications
cont.
5. Utility mapping
• By emitting electromagnetic pulses into the ground and
analyzing reflected signals, GPR enables engineers and
utility workers to accurately identify the presence and
location of underground utilities without excavation or
disruption to the surface.
• GPR is instrumental in addressing challenges associated
with finding leaks, breaks, or damages in underground
utilities by detecting anomalies such as voids, cracks, or
changes in material composition, pinpointing precise
locations for timely repairs and maintenance activities.
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FIG 6. Location of utilities
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FIG 7. Location of utilities
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FIG 8. Dam inspection
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FIG 9. Road inspection
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Fig 10. concrete inspection
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Advantages of GPR
• Non-destructive: Assess subsurface features without disturbing the
ground.
• High-resolution images: Identify small-scale anomalies not detectable
by other methods.
• Versatility: Can be used in various environments and geological
settings.
• Depth penetration: Capable of detecting subsurface features at
considerable depths, it can go to about 30 m
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Limitations of GPR
• Depth penetration influenced by soil composition, moisture content,
and antenna frequency.
• Data interpretation can be challenging, requiring expertise.
• Surface roughness and irregularities can distort GPR signals.
• Difficulty detecting non-conductive or non-metallic materials.
• Equipment and data interpretation costs can be high.
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REFERENCES
[Link], J., & Smith, A.B. (2023). Electromagnetic Pulses: Origins and
Impacts. Academic Press.
[Link], C.D., & Johnson, E.F. (2019). Ground Penetrating Radar:
Theory and Practice. CRC Press.
3. Thompson, R.L., & Garcia, M.J. (2021). Electromagnetic Wave
Interaction in Subsurface Environments. Springer.
4. Williams, K.L., & Davis, S.C. (2018). Advances in Ground
Penetrating Radar Data Processing. Wiley
5. Martinez, G., & Lee, H.Y. (2020). Techniques for Ground-
Penetrating Radar Data Interpretation. Elsevier.
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Thank you
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