Correlation of Ground Penetrating Radar Data with Geotechnical Prospect Profiles: Reduto Case Study, Belém-PA, Brazil

The study presented in this manuscript aimed to relate the sedimentary strata imaged by the ground penetrating radar(GPR)method through numerical modeling with the mapping of sedimentary strata acquired through geotechnical surveys.The study aimed to expose how obtaining subsoil information through noninvasive/destructive electromagnetic waves is beneficial,as they are reliable and less costly than drilling holes beyond what is necessary to have a subsurface mapping.In this sense,physical-geological modeling was carried out.The information on the type of sediments,acquired through simple recognition surveys carried out in the city of Belém-PA,helped to create a model of a sedimentary package with its respective intrinsic physical properties.The result shows that the GPR recovered with good vertical and horizontal resolution at the beginning and end of the layers of the sedimentary package studied,proving to be very effective for locating geotechnical sounding points and safely reducing costs.

Feature Extraction and Classification of Echo Signal of Ground Penetrating Radar

Automatic feature extraction and classification algorithm of echo signal of ground penetrating radar is presented. Dyadic wavelet transform and the average energy of the wavelet coefficients are applied in this paper to decompose and extract feature of the echo signal. Then, the extracted feature vector is fed up to a feed forward muhi layer perceptron classifier. Experimental results based on the measured GPR, echo signals obtained from the Mei shan railway are presented.

Modified Method for Estimating Organic Carbon Density in Discontinuous Karst Soil Using Ground-Penetrating Radar and Geostatistics

The conventional method which assumes the soil distribution is continuous was unsuitable for estimating soil organic carbon density(SOCD) in Karst areas because of its discontinuous soil distribution. The accurate estimation of SOCD in Karst areas is essential for carbon sequestration assessment in China. In this study, a modified method,which considers the vertical proportion of soil area in the profile when calculating the SOCD, was developed to estimate the SOCD in a typical Karst peak-cluster depression area in southwest China. In the modified method, ground-penetrating radar(GPR) technology was used to detect the distribution and thickness of soil. The accuracy of the method was confirmed through comparison with the data obtained using a validation method, in which the soil thickness was measured by excavation. In comparison with the conventional method and average-soil-depth method,the SOCD estimated using the GPR method showed the minimum relative error with respect to that obtained using the validation method. At a regional scale, the average SOCDs at depths of 0-20 cm and 0-100 cm, which were interpolated by ordinary kriging,were 1.49(ranging from 0.03-5.65) and 2.26(0.09-11.60) kgm-2based on GPR method in our study area(covering 393.6 hm2), respectively. Therefore, the modified method can be applied on the accurate estimation of SOCD in discontinuous soil areas such as Karst regions.

Root imaging from ground penetrating radar data by CPSO-OMP compressed sensing

As the amount of data produced by ground penetrating radar （GPR） for roots is large, the transmission and the storage of data consumes great resources. To alleviate this problem, we propose here a root imaging algorithm using chaotic particle swarm optimal （CPSO） compressed sensing based on GPR data according to the sparsity of root space. Radar data are decomposed, observed, measured and represented in sparse manner, so roots image can be reconstructed with limited data. Firstly, radar signal measurement and sparse representation are implemented, and the solution space is established by wavelet basis and Gauss random matrix; secondly, the matching function is considered as the fitness function, and the best fitness value is found by a PSO algorithm; then, a chaotic search was used to obtain the global optimal operator; finally, the root image is reconstructed by the optimal operators. A-scan data, B-scan data, and complex data from American GSSI GPR is used, respectively, in the experimental test. For B-scan data, the computation time was reduced 60 % and PSNR was improved 5.539 dB; for actual root data imaging, the reconstruction PSNR was 26.300 dB, and total computation time was only 67.210 s. The CPSO-OMP algorithm overcomes the problem of local optimum trapping and comprehensively enhances the precision during reconstruction.

Finite difference time domain method forward simulation of complex geoelectricity ground penetrating radar model

The ground penetrating radar(GPR) forward simulation all aims at the singular and regular models, such as sandwich model, round cavity, square cavity, and so on, which are comparably simple. But as to the forward of curl interface underground or “v” figure complex model, it is difficult to realize. So it is important to forward the complex geoelectricity model. This paper takes two Maxwell’s vorticity equations as departure point, makes use of the principles of Yee’s space grid model theory and the basic principle finite difference time domain method, and deduces a GPR forward system of equation of two dimensional spaces. The Mur super absorbed boundary condition is adopted to solve the super strong reflection on the interceptive boundary when there is the forward simulation. And a self-made program is used to process forward simulation to two typical geoelectricity model.

Wigner Frequency Point Slice Analysis of Superposition Data for Phased-Array Ground Penetrating Radar

According to the frequency property of Phasedarray ground penetrating radar (PGPR), this paper gives a frequency point slice method based on Wigner time-frequency analysis. This method solves the problem of analysis for the PGPR's superposition data and makes detecting outcome simpler and detecting target more recognizable. At last, the analytical results of road test data of the Three Gorges prove the analytical method efficient. Key words phased-array ground penetrating radar - wigner time-frequency analysis - superposition data - object identification CLC number TN 715.7 Foundation item: Supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (50099620) and 863 Program Foundation of China (2001AA132050-03)Biography: ZOU Lian (1975-), male, Ph. D candidate, research direction: signal processing.

Identifying soil structure along headwater hillslopes using ground penetrating radar based technique

Soil structure plays an important role in understanding soil attributes as well as hydrological processes. Effective method to obtain high quality soil map is therefore important for both soil science research and soil work ability improvement. However,traditional method such as digging soil pits is destructive and time-consuming. In this study, the structure of headwater hillslopes from Hemuqiao catchment(Taihu Basin, China) have been analyzed both by indirect(ground penetrating radar, GPR) and direct(excavation or soil auger) methods. Four transects at different locations of hillslopes in the catchment were selected for GPR survey. Three of them(#1, #2, and #3) were excavated to obtain fullscale soil information for interpreting radar images.We found that the most distinct boundary that can be detected by GPR is the boundary between soil and underlain bedrock. In some cases(e.g., 8-17 m in transect #2), in which the in situ soil was scarcely affected by colluvial process, different soil layers can be identified. This identification process utilized the sensitive of GPR to capture abrupt changes of soil characteristics in layer boundaries, e.g., surface organic layer(layer #1) and bamboo roots layer(layer#2, contain stone fragments), illuvial deposits layer(layer #3) and regolith layer(layer #4). However, in areas where stone fragments were irregularly distributed in the soil profile(highly affected bycolluvial and/or fluvial process), it was possible to distinguish which part contains more stone fragments in soil profile on the basis of reflection density(transect #3). Transect #4(unexcavated) was used to justify the GPR method for soil survey based on experiences from former transects. After that, O horizon thickness was compared by a hand auger.This work has demonstrated that GPR images can be of a potential data source for hydrological predictions.

Regional characteristics of sea ice thickness in Canadian shelf and Arctic Archipelago measured by Ground Penetrating Radar

Ground Penetrating Radar （GPR） measurements of sea ice thickness including undeformed ice and ridged ice were carried out in the central north Canadian Archipelago in spring 2010. Results have shown a significant spatial heterogeneity of sea ice thickness across the shelf. The undeformed multi-year fast ice of （2.05±0.09） m thick was investigated southern inshore zone of Borden island located at middle of the observational section, which was the observed maximum thickness in the field work. The less thick sea ice was sampled across a flaw lead with the thicknesses of （1.05±0.11） m for the pack ice and （1.24±0.13） m for the fast ice. At the northernmost spot of the section, the undeformed multi-year pack ice was （1.54±0.22） m thick with a ridged ice of 2.5 to 3 m, comparing to the multi-year fast ice with the thickness of （1.67±0.16） m at the southernmost station in the Prince Gustaf Adolf Sea.

Research on Data Combination for Phased-Array Ground Penetrating Radar

To resolve the data combination of Phased-array Ground Penetrating Radar (PAGPR), we first build a model of PAGPR and a layered model, and then a new data combination algorithm is presented based on it. This method calculates time delay of multi-receivers, basing on the signal of the nearest receiver, then shifts other signals and adds them up, and gets one signal at last. It has been proved that this method can restrain noise, multiple waves, clutter waves and improve the precision of time location. In the end, an example is given to prove the method's efficiency.

An element-free Galerkin method for ground penetrating radar numerical simulation

An element-free Galerkin method(EFGM) is used to solve the two-dimensional(2D) ground penetrating radar(GPR)modelling problems, due to its simple pre-processing, the absence of elements and high accuracy. Different from element-based numerical methods, this approach makes nodes free from the elemental restraint and avoids the explicit mesh discretization. First, we derived the boundary value problem for the 2D GPR simulation problems. Second, a penalty function approach and a boundary condition truncated method were used to enforce the essential and the absorbing boundary conditions, respectively. A three-layered GPR model was used to verify our element-free approach. The numerical solutions show that our solutions have an excellent agreement with solutions of a finite element method(FEM). Then, we used the EFGM to simulate one more complex model to show its capability and limitations. Simulation results show that one obvious advantage of EFGM is the absence of element mesh, which makes the method very flexible. Due to the use of MLS fitting, a key feature of EFM, is that both the dependent variable and its gradient are continuous and have high precision.

Layer-Constrained Triangulated Irregular Network Algorithm Based on Ground Penetrating Radar Data and Its Application

In this paper,a layer-constrained triangulated irregular network（ LC-TIN） algorithm is proposed for three-dimensional（ 3 D） modelling,and applied to construct a 3 D model for geological disease information based on ground penetrating radar（ GPR） data. Compared with the traditional TIN algorithm,the LCTIN algorithm introduced a layer constraint to the discrete data points during the 3 D modelling process,and it can dynamically construct networks from layer to layer and implement 3 D modelling for arbitrary shapes with high precision. The experimental results validated this method,the proposed algorithm not only can maintain the rationality of triangulation network,but also can obtain a good generation speed. In addition,the algorithm is also introduced to our self-developed 3 D visualization platform,which utilized GPR data to model geological diseases. Therefore the feasibility of the algorithm is verified in the practical application.

Condition Assessment of August A. Busch Bridge Deck Using Portable Seismic Property Analyzer and Ground Penetrating Radar

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) and the portable seismic property analyzer (PSPA) have been extensively used in the past two decades for monitoring, quantifying, and mapping the deterioration of bridge decks. Using PSPA and GPR ensures regular monitoring of bridge conditions, leads to the early detection of deterioration. This research is to address the condition of August A. Busch bridge deck owned by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Visual inspection, GPR, and PSPA data were acquired on the bridge deck. Over 90% of the bridge deck was in fair to good condition with an average compressive strength of over 2500 psi. GPR data showed no indication of significant deterioration. The overall bridge deck was determined to be in fair to good condition.

An Algorithm for Estimating the Object Depth Accurately by Ground-Penetrating Radar

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a remote sensing technique used to obtain information on subsurface features from data collected over the surface. We propose an automatic algorithm for estimating object depth using f-k migration and velocity scanning methods in a homogeneous medium. To improve the accuracy of the algorithm, the formula used to calculate the GPR valid lateral aperture is also presented. Experimental results show that the relative estimating error of depth is as low as 5% in a homogeneous medium.

Measurement of a thin layer's thickness using independent component analysis of ground penetrating radar data

To detect overlapped echoes due to the thin pavement layers,we present a thickness measurement approach for the very thin layer of pavement structures.The term "thin" is relative to the incident wavelength or pulse.By means of independent component analysis of noisy signals received by a single radar sensor,the overlapped echoes can be successfully separated.Once the echoes from the top and bottom side of a thin layer have been separated,the time delay and the layer thickness determination follow immediately.Results of the simulation and real data verify the feasibility of the presented method.

3D prestack reverse time migration of ground penetrating radar data based on the normalized correlation imaging condition

The reverse time migration(RTM)of ground penetrating radar(GPR)is usually implemented in its two-dimensional(2D)form,due to huge computational cost.However,2D RTM algorithm is difficult to focus the scattering signal and produce a high precision subsurface image when the object is buried in a complicated subsurface environment.To better handle the multi-off set GPR data,we propose a three-dimensional(3D)prestack RTM algorithm.The high-order fi nite diff erence time domian(FDTD)method,with the accuracy of eighth-order in space and second-order in time,is applied to simulate the forward and backward extrapolation electromagnetic fi elds.In addition,we use the normalized correlation imaging condition to obtain pre-stack RTM result and the Laplace fi lter to suppress the low frequency noise generated during the correlation process.The numerical test of 3D simulated GPR data demonstrated that 3D RTM image shows excellent coincidence with the true model.Compared with 2D RTM image,the 3D RTM image can more clearly and accurately refl ect the 3D spatial distribution of the target,and the resolution of the imaging results is far better.Furthermore,the application of observed GPR data further validates the eff ectiveness of the proposed 3D GPR RTM algorithm,and its fi nal image can more reliably guide the subsequent interpretation.

Detection of ground ice using ground penetrating radar method

The paper presents the results of a ground penetrating radar （GPR） application for the detection of ground ice. We com- bined a reflection traveltime curves analysis with a frequency spectrogram analysis. We found special anomalies at specific traces in the traveltime curves and ground boundaries analysis, and obtained a ground model for subsurface structure which allows the ground ice layer to be identified and delineated.

Detection of the Possible Buried Archeological Targets Using the Geophysical Methods of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Self Potential (SP), Kom Ombo Temple, Aswan Governorate, Egypt

Kom Ombo temple is one of temples which were belted over high plateau close to the River Nile, near to Aswan in Egypt in the Greek-Roman period. The expected archaeological remains in the selected area are the hidden tunnels of the mummified crocodiles. The aim of the present work is to detect any of these tunnels by the application of the (GPR) and (SP) methods. The interpretation of the 10 GPR profiles revealed some locations of possible hidden tunnels. These locations show different contrasts and high amplitudes of the reflected signals, compared to the enclosing soil;also the scattering of the signals is higher than the bed layer in these locations, which may reveal the possible buried mummified crocodile tunnels in the study area. The depths of the possible targets range from 2.0 m to 2.5 m. The SP electric map shows that the study area possesses a range of about 135 mV of the potential differences between the measured stations. The positive response of the SP data is mainly concentrated at the central part of the study area. The relatively weak, negative SP anomalies may be related to moisture in the soil. The positive SP anomalies on the SP electric map display possible significant correlation between them and the inferred tunnel locations from the GPR data. The calculated depths from the SP profiles show significant agreement with that estimated from GPR data depths, which indicate that the SP electric method can be used as a successful tool in detecting buried archaeological remains in support of GPR.

Application of Ground Penitrating Radar Method in Pipe Laying Detection

Ground Penetrating Radar method was used in detecting the flaws of underground pipeline. The GPR layer disturbing image was summarized by using a rational method in fieldwork and the in-door interpretation of data. The mark radar images of disturbance of slight, middle, and strong were obtained. The result shows that the radar method can not only determine the position of the concrete pipeline underground, but it can detect the laying quality of pipeline as well.