Three-dimensional stratigraphy view from ground penetrating radar attributes for soil characterization

Abstract

The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), a geophysical technique that uses non-destructive testing to detect objects and structure beneath the soil was a huge contribution in survey and engineering, especially in underground utility. GPR has been used since 1970 and the method is still undergoing upgrade alongside the sophisticated processing software. Nevertheless, soil is the principal medium which interferes with the signal penetration of GPR due to its physical and electrical properties. Thus, a study using soil stratigraphy is a prerequisite to understanding GPR radargram. In this study, a test bed was constructed to simulate different soil layers which consist of existing clay, sand, small stone, and crusher run stone. The GPR instrument with frequencies of 100, 250, 400, 750, and 900 MHz was used to collect the data. The processing was carried out using reflex software for image interpretation and three-dimensional (3D) visualizations. This study is expected to help surveyors in understanding the measurement, for example, soil composition, problems related to GPR underground surveying.