Englacial hydrological characteristics of a typical continental-type glacier in China as detected by ground-penetrating radar

The englacial structures and ice thickness of the Laohugou No. 12 （L12） Glacier in the Qilian Mountains, China, were retrieved from ground-penetrating radar （GPR） profile dzta acquired in August of 2007. Here the interpretation of a typical GPR image is validated using two-dimensional, Finite-Difference Time-Domain （FDTD） numerical modeling. Data analyses revealed many en- glacial characteristics, such as temperate ice, crevasses, and cavities at the position of convergence between the eastern and west- ern glacial branches of L12, and at an altitude between 4,600 and 4,750 m a.s.1, on the east branch. Combining ice thickness, en- glacial structures, subglacial topography, and surface flow velocities of this glacier, we analyzed the reasons for the distribution of temperate ice. The results show that greater englacial water content is associated with englacial crevassing and surface moulins, which allow water to be channeled to the temperate ice aquifer beneath the surface cold ice layer. Analysis of air temperature data shows that as more meltwater imports into the ice body, this has a great effect on water conservation and dynamics conditions. With climate warming, and under the influence of crevasses, subglacial structures, and ice thickness, ice thickness reduction on the L12 east branch is more rapid than that on the west branch.

Application of GPR reverse time migration in tunnel lining cavity imaging

Correctly locating the tunnel lining cavity is extremely important tunnel quality inspection.High-accuracy imaging results are hard to obtain because conventional one-way wave migration is greatly aff ected by lateral velocity change and inclination limitation and because the diff racted wave cannot be accurately returned to the real spatial position of the lining cavity.This paper presents a tunnel lining cavity imaging method based on the groundpenetrating radar(GPR)reverse-time migration(RTM)algorithm.The principle of GPR RTM is described in detail using the electromagnetic wave equation.The finite-difference timedomain method is employed to calculate the backward extrapolation electromagnetic fi elds,and the zero-time imaging condition based on the exploding-reflector concept is used to obtain the RTM results.On this basis,the GPR RTM program is compiled and applied to the simulated and observed GPR data of a typical tunnel lining cavity GPR model and a physical lining cavity model.Comparison of RTM and Kirchhoff migration results reveals that the RTM can better converge the diff racted waves of steel bar and cavity to their true position and have higher resolution and better suppress the eff ect of multiple interference and clutter scattering waves.In addition,comparison of RTM results of diff erent degrees of noise shows that RTM has strong anti-interference ability and can be used for the accurate interpretation of radar profi le in a strong interference environment.

Gravity-Driven Listric Growth Fault and Sedimentation in the Lagoa do Peixe, Rio Grande do Sul Coastal Plain, Brazil

High frequency, high resolution GPR surveys are successfully applied to investigate near-surface stratification architecture of sedimentary units in coastal plains and to define their depositional conditions. However, low frequency GPR surveys to investigate fault-related depositional systems at greater depths are scarce. This survey was designed investigate a > 100 km long linear escarpment that controls the northwest margin of the Lagoa do Peixe, an important lagoon in Rio Grande do Sul Coastal Plain (RGSCP, Brazil). The traditional approach points that RGSCP was developed by juxtaposition of four lagoons/barrier systems as consequence of sea level changes;no deformational structure is admitted to exist before. The low frequency GPR (50 MHz, RTA antenna) and geological surveys carried out in the RGSCP showed the existence of a large, gravity-driven listric growth fault controlling the Lagoa do Peixe escarpment and hangingwall sedimentation. The radargrams in four subareas along the Lagoa do Peixe Growth Fault could be interpreted following the seismic expression of rift-related depositional systems. The radargrams enabled to distinguish three main lagoonal deposition radarfacies. The lower lagoonal radarfacies is a convex upward unit, thicker close to growth fault;the radarfacies geometry indicates that fault displacement rate surpasses the sedimentation rate, and its upper stratum is aged ~3500 l4C years BP. The second lagoonal radarfacies is a triangular wedge restricted to the lagoon depocenter, whose geometry indicates that fault displacement and the sedimentation rates kept pace. The upper lagoonal radarfacies is being deposited since 1060 ± 70 l4C years BP, under sedimentation rate higher than fault displacement rate. The results indicate that low frequency GPR surveys can help in investigating fault-related depositional systems in coastal zones. They also point to a new approach in dealing with RGSCP stratigraphy.

城市道路病害特征地质雷达正演模拟及快速识别

地质雷达(ground-penetrating rader,GPR)探测是城市道路病害探测的主要手段,随着技术的更新,实现了从二维到全三维探测的过渡,但数据解释还是以常规的波形特征和振幅特征分析为主的剖面和平面异常解释,存在解释工作量大,异常识别难度大,漏判、错判率高等特点。为提高地质雷达数据解释速度和精度,通过对路面检测中常见的异常体(空洞、积水区)正演模拟,并结合实际案例分析,研究异常体的频谱特征,提出基于数学变换的频谱分析方法,实现对空洞、积水区的快速识别。结果表明,基于频谱分析的频谱剖面异常特征明显优于振幅剖面特征。

地质雷达在岩溶地区岩土工程勘察中的应用

安徽省沿江及皖南一带石灰岩分布广泛,岩溶发育,由于岩溶溶洞具有隐伏性强、空间分布规律性差、岩溶塌陷难以预测等特点,因此岩溶区岩土工程勘察必需查清岩溶发育规律。本文结合铜陵一带岩溶区岩土工程勘察中几个实例,阐述在岩溶发育区,采用地质雷达结合钻探综合勘察方法,高效准确查清构筑物基础范围内岩溶溶洞发育情况,提高岩溶区勘察效益和勘察进度。

基于EEMD-HHT变换的爆破损伤分析方法

为了研究爆破振动影响下的隧道围岩损伤地质雷达图像的演化规律,对围岩损伤模型进行基于时域有限差分法的正演模拟,并进行相应的场地试验。研究结果表明:对雷达信号进行EEMD-HHT变换得到的一阶瞬时振幅参量有效滤除了原始信号中高频电磁波的绕射和杂波干扰,突显了原始信号的特征信息;针对岩体裂隙损伤模型进行正演模拟,发现雷达信号的一阶瞬时振幅分量对损伤区域有很好的成像效果,使定量分析损伤特征成为可能;爆破振动影响下围岩的损伤演化受其完整性程度影响大,经历多次循环爆破作用影响的围岩区域完整性差,裂缝区域会在爆破作用下产生扩展与贯穿,新生裂缝多出现在距爆源较近区域。

Geomorphological Evolution Revealed by Aeolian Sedimentary Structure in Badain Jaran Desert on Alxa Plateau, Northwest China

The Badain Jaran Desert,located in the Alxa Plateau,Northwest China,features mega-dunes and a unique dune-lake alternation landscape.This paper presented the aeolian sediment structures of three representative dunes in the Badain Jaran Desert using ground-penetrating radar (GPR).We processed and analyzed the GPR data and investigated the feasibility of using integrated GPR and sedimentological data to reconstruct dunes structure,sedimentary environment and geomorphological evolution.The results show that the internal structures of star dune and transverse dune represent various stages of mega-dune evolution: the main deposition processes of mega-dune are similar to those of transverse dunes but have a more complicated mechanism of sand transport and deposition because of the superimposition of dunes;the upper section of the mega-dune has a structure similar to that of star dune,with vertical aggradations on top.Diffraction hyperbolae in the GPR profile indicates that the presence of ancient dunes characterized by calcareous cementation layers is involved in the maintenance of mega-dunes,and water levels,shown by continuous,sub-horizontal GPR reflections,are supposed to be closely related to mega-dunes and the interdune lakes.Outcrop of wet sand and horizontal stratifications on the GPR image indicate moisture potentials with different levels inside mega-dunes.The multiplex geomorphology in the Badain Jaran Desert is the result of global climatic undulation,the unique geographical location,the geological structural features,etc.

Coarse root spatial distribution determined using a ground-penetrating radar technique in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest,China

Coarse roots play a critical role in forest ecosystems and both abiotic and biotic factors affect their spatial distribution.To some extent,coarse root density may reflect the quantity of root biomass and biotic competition in forests.However,using traditional methods(e.g.,excavation)to study coarse roots is challenging,because those methods are time-consuming and laborious.Furthermore,these destructive methods cannot be repeated in the same forests.Therefore,the discovery of non-destructive methods for root studies will be very significant.In this study,we used a ground-penetrating radar technique to detect the coarse root density of three habitats(ridge,slope and valley)and the dominant tree species(Castanopsis eyrei and Schima superba)in a subtropical forest.We found that(i)the mean of coarse root density for these three habitats was 88.04roots m–2,with roots being mainly distributed at depths of 0–40 cm.Coarse root densities were lower in deeper soils and in areas far from the trunk.(ii)Coarse root densities differed significantly among the three habitats studied here with slope habitat having the lowest coarse root density.Compared with S.superba,C.eyrei had more roots distributed in deeper soils.Furthermore,coarse roots with a diameter>3 cm occurred more frequently in the valleys,compared with root densities in ridge and slope habitats,and most coarse roots occurred at soil depths of 20–40 cm.(iii)The coarse root density correlated negatively with tree species richness at soil depths of 40–60 cm.The abundances of the dominant species,such as C.eyrei,Cyclobalanopsis glauca,Pinus massoniana,had significant impacts on coarse root density.(iv)The soil depth of 0–40 cm was the"basic distribution layer"for coarse roots since the majority of coarse roots were found in this soil layer with an average root density of 84.18 roots m–2,which had no significant linear relationships with topography,tree species richness,rarefied tree species richness and tree density.Significant relationships between coarse root density and these factors were found at the soil depth of40–60 cm,which was the"potential distribution layer"for coarse root distribution.

Application of a nondestructive method to evaluate the active layer in a cold region

To provide a safe transportation system in an extremely cold region,evaluation needs to be conducted of the thickness and the volumetric water content of the active layer,as they significantly affect frost heave.The objective of this study was to evaluate the dielectric constant(κ)of the active layer using ground-penetrating radar(GPR)and a dynamic cone penetrometer(DCP);this evaluation was then used to estimate the thickness and the volumetric water content of the active layer.A field located in midwest Alaska was selected as the study site.A GPR survey and two DCP tests were conducted on the surface of the ground,and the ground temperature was measured.From the GPR survey,travel times of the electromagnetic wave in the active layer were obtained.In addition,the thickness of the active layer was determined by using the dynamic cone penetration index(DCPI)and ground temperature.By using the travel time and travel distance of the electromagnetic wave in the active layer,dielectric constants were calculated as 26.3 and 26.4 for two DCP points.From the mean dielectric constant,the volumetric water content was estimated to be 40%~43%,and the thickness of the active layer was evaluated along the GPR survey line.The spatial-scaled GPR image showed that the thickness of the active layer varied from 520 mm to 700 mm due to the presence of a puddle,which accelerated the heat exchange.The results show that evaluation of the dielectric constant using the GPR survey and the DCP test can be effectively used to estimate the thickness and the volumetric water content of the active layer.

FDTD analysis of ground-penetrating radar antennas with shields and absorbers

One of the most critical hardware components of a ground-penetrating radar(GPR)is the antenna system.Important parameters of antennas,such as antenna bandwidth,radiation waveform and cross coupling determine the GPR system performance.The modified TEM horn antenna with distributed resistor load is presented in this paper,and the radiation properties of the antenna with the shields and absorbers are studied through the three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain(FDTD)scheme.Simulations show that the direct signal coupled from the transmitter is decreased by means of the shields and absorbers.Therefore,using the antenna in the GPR system can improve the signal-to-clutter ratio and the dynamic range of the system.

Complex Effective Relative Permittivity of Soil Samples from the Taunus Region (Germany)

The most important parameter affecting ground-penetrating radar （GPR） measurements is the complex effective relative permittivity εr^＊,eff because it controls the propagation velocity and the reflection of GPR pulses. Knowing εr^＊,eff of soils passed through by electromagnetic waves increases accuracy in soil thickness and interface identification. Complex effective relative permittivity εr^＊,eff= εr^＊,eff - jεr^＊,effof 25 soil samples with textures ranging from loamy sand to silty clay was measured using the two-electrode parallelplate method. The measurements were conducted at defined water contents for frequencies from 1 MHz to 3 GHz. The results confirm the frequency dependence of εr^＊,eff and show that the dielectric behavior of soil-water mixtures is a function of water content. Applying the experimental data of this study with predictions based on the empirical model by Toppet aL （1980）, we find that Topp et aL＇s curve tends to underestimate the real part of εr^＊,eff measured. Along with frequency and water content, soil texture and organic matter affect soil permittivity. Moreover, the real part of εr^＊,eff increases at higher dry bulk densities. Output from our calibration model enables us to predict εr^＊,eff for the soil samples which were tested under the actual in situ soil water content. This results in high accuracy of soil thickness prediction.

High-Resolution 3-D Radar Imaging through Nonuniform Fast Fourier Transform(NUFFT)

This paper applies a 3-D nonuniform fast Fourier transform(NUFFT)migration method to image both free-space and buried targets from data collected by a ultra-wideband ground penetrating radar(GPR)system.The method incorporates the NUFFT algorithm into 3-D phase shift migration to evaluate the inverse Fourier transform more accurately and more efficiently than the conventional migration methods.Previously,the nonuniform nature of the wavenumber space required linear interpolation before the regular fast Fourier transform(FFT)could be applied.However,linear interpolation usually degrades the quality of reconstructed images.The NUFFT method mitigates such errors by using high-order spatial-varying kernels.The NUFFT migration method is utilized to reconstruct GPR images collected in laboratory.A plywood sheet in free space and a buried plexiglas chamber are successfully reconstructed.The results in 3-D visualization demonstrate the outstanding performance of the method to retrieve the geometry of the objects.Several buried landmines are also scanned and reconstructed using this method.Since the images resolve the features of the objects well,they can be utilized to assist the landmine discrimination.