A review of ground penetrating radar applications for engineering/environmental site characterization
- Western Michigan Univ., Kalamazoo, MI (United States)
Since the successful commercialization of GPR systems more than a decade ago, this tool has had a very rapid development in its use, as well as in its capabilities. One restriction which still persists is poor penetration at sites with shallow conductive layers. As used for characterizing the geology of a site, it can map depth to bedrock, locate joint and fracture zones, and map details of stratigraphy in clastic sediments. In high latitudes is has been useful for permafrost studies. Many surprising details can be seen in soil horizons at some sites. It is not restricted to use on land, and floating antennas have been used in lakes and wetlands. In winter, excellent results can be obtained for depth to hard bottom on frozen lakes and wetlands. Submerged antennas have been used in bottom sleds for the study of details of sub-bottom stratigraphy in Lakes Michigan and Erie. GPR has been used in both open-pit and underground mines to locate hazards ahead of the mining process. Another major application in locating man-made objects and disturbances on a site. Besides the usual metallic underground tanks, drums, and associated plumbing, a number of other features can be detected. Tunnels, backfilled trenches, and non-metallic tanks and drums can also be seen. The military apply GPR to detecting unexploded ordnance. In hydrogeology, water table can be mapped in sandy sediments. Direct detection of certain types of contaminant plumes has been achieved in some restricted cases. Judging by the proliferation of manufacturers, symposia, and journal articles, GPR is well on its way to being recognized as a standard geophysical technique.
- OSTI ID:
- 6837883
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9404217--
- Journal Information:
- Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States), Journal Name: Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States) Vol. 26:5; ISSN GAAPBC; ISSN 0016-7592
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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