Application of Ground Penetrating Radar in Leakage Detection of Concrete Face Rockfill Dam

Abstract

The ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology is one of the advanced and effective methods of detecting hidden hazards in dams due to its features of quickness, accuracy, high resolution, intuitive image, and less constraints on geological conditions of the field. In this paper, the effectiveness of GPR in dam leakage detection was tested based on its application on a concrete face rockfill dam. Firstly, a preliminary judgment on the possible leakage sites was made according to on-site inspection and monitoring data analysis. Combined with the detection results of GPR, the actual sites of the leakage passages is finally determined, which can provide technical support for plugging in the next step.