GROUND PENETRATING

RADAR(GPR)

Presented by

Amarjit Ray
N.C.S.Udaya Sankar Reddy

DEPT OF MINING ENGG.

Dr. T. Thimmaiah Institute of Technology, KGF
Karnataka – 563 120

March 05th & 06th , 2009

 A Paper Presentation on Ground Penetrating
Radar for the SURANG-2K9

CONTENTS

 INTRODUCTION
 STEP FREQUENCY GPR
 OPERATING PRINCIPLES
 APPLICATIONS OF GPR
 ADVANTAGES OF GPR
 LIMITATION OF GPR
 CRUX
INTRODUCTIO
N

 It is a geophysical method that uses radar pulses to image

the subsurface
 GPR is a noninvasive electromagnetic geophysical technique
for subsurface exploration, characterization and monitoring.
 This non-destructive method uses electromagnetic radiations
in the microwave bands (UHF/VHF frequencies).
 It is a technique used to locate both metallic and nonmetallic
or conductive features.
 It can be thought as subsurface imaging system, similar to
SONAR used for underwater applications.
 Targets can be seen beneath reinforced concrete ,asphalt,
gravel and most other common surfaces.
STEP FREQUENCY
GPR(SFR)
 It is a second generation GPR that overcomes the limitations
of the impulse radars.
 It works on the principle of frequency sweeping signal.
 It has an advantage of large penetration and higher
resolution
 It operates in frequency domain, and as such a perfect
coupling between transmitter- receiver is achieved without
the influence of any external perturbation.
 Resolution is controlled by the wavelength of the
propagating electromagnetic waves in ground.
 Resolution increases with increasing frequency
BASIC OPERATING
PRINCIPLES
 GPR operates by transmitting pulses of ultra high
frequency radio waves into the ground.
 There are two antennas one is for transmitting and
other for receiving the refracted waves.
GPR THEORY OF
OPERATION
 Radar pulses are generated at a surface antenna and then propagated into the
ground.

 When they encounter burier discontinuities a portion of the radar is reflected back
to the surface and recorded again at antenna.

 When the velocities of the radar travel-time are calculated they can be converted
to depth, making GPR a 3D geophysical tool.
 RECORDING RADAR
REFLECTION
Antennas are moved along the ground surface in transects within a grid
Many reflections are recorded per second and when they are plotted in a
vertical profile a 2D vertical “slice” of reflections in the ground is produced.

When many transects are collected in a grid a 3D data base is obtained

DEPTH OF PENETRATION AND
RESOLUTION

 The depth of penetration and the resolution of buried features is primarily

controlled by the frequency of the antenna.

 Depth of investigation depends upon following factors

 Loss Mechanisms
 Bandwidth
 Dynamic range
 Signal to noise
 Range gain
 Stacking
 dispersion
GPR DATA
PROCESSING
Typical GPR data reflection profile have to processed as it contains unwanted
noise and reflections. These are the steps involved in processing GPR data
 Background removal
 Point source hyperbola tail removal
 Production of rendered images of processed reflections.
GPR APPLICATIONS

 GPR locates almost anything underground

 GPR makes an underground pictures
 It is been used for coal depth measurement
 For mapping of subsurface area to perform mining activities
 Locates pipes and utilities
 For Sinkhole depth and location
 For geology (bedrock) and geological hazards
 Archaeological studies
 GPR surveys can be conducted anywhere in the world.
ADVANTAGES OF GPR

The advantages of ground penetrating radar over other non-invasive

geophysical techniques are

 Excellent spatial resolution

 Depth information
 Geophysical properties being measured
 Getting through the surface layer
 Nondestructive testing (NDT) of structures and pavements,
 LIMITATION OF
GPR

 Interpretation of radar grams is generally non-intuitive to the novice. An

experienced operator develops a real feel for the radar display and what the
images represent physically.

 Considerable expertise is necessary to effectively design, conduct, and interpret

GPR surveys. A reasonably intelligent operator can develop this after 5-10
surveys

 The cost of GPR equipment and software is relatively high.

 Relatively high energy consumption can necessitate large cumbersome batteries
for extensive surveys.
 CRUX

GPR is a versatile, accurate and reliable technique that can save significant
time and money for survey teams, councils, utilities and geologists.

The improvements in this technology can provide instant results which until
recently, may have been difficult and/ or costly to obtain using conventional
or traditionally configured systems.

 GPR is an effective locating tool, it doesn’t work in all areas. Like any tool, it
has its limitations.

GPR works best in soils or medias that are non-conductive, but not so well
in all soils.

 As a general rule, soils with high mineralogical clay content inhibit the
performance of the GPR signal, whilst sandy or gravely soils are much
more suited to the method.
Thank You……