Ground Penetrating Radar

Book excerpt: Ground Penetrating Radar: Theory and Practice is a practical guide to using this powerful underground surveying technique. The author uses her wide experience to explain the critical factors in using GPR and how parameters, such as wavelength, attenuation and loss need to be properly considered to obtain good survey results. The first chapter introduces the underlying physics and explains the formation of signal patterning. The next two chapters explain the significance of wavelengths for target detection, probing depths and resolution, and demonstrating the variety of signal presentation. Chapter four discusses why survey results are affected by water and air in the soil, and how this may affect depth readings. Additional chapters discuss a variety of methods for velocity calibration and suggests where they may be useful, challenging soil conditions and potential problem environments, data processing and a suite of useful techniques, amongst other important topics. The book gives a clear and formative guidance on understanding the critical factors in using GPR, as well as a checklist of surveying considerations. Covers the critical, practical factors in using a ground penetrating radar, including troubleshooting appropriate equipment selection Explains why wavelengths matter, providing practice calculations Offers insight into how to spot ringing (echo effects) and air signals, and how to distinguish these from subsurface data Enables the reader to understand the importance of calibration of transmission velocity and a range of methodsa