Multi frequency Ground-Penetrating Radar method for mapping underground pipes and man-made objects

Abstract

Mapping of subsurface infrastructure such as pipelines, pipe ducts as well as man-made objects located below the earth surface is a difficult task in geotechnical engineering due to the need to direct contact to the object. Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) method as one of geophysical methods is an appropriate technique to solve such problems due to its capability to effectively provide the existence, the location and the depth of buried shallow objects. Despite many advantages, the application of GPR method is limited by achieved depth and resolution range that is frequency dependent. To overcome such problems, the so-called multi-frequency compositing method with Optimal Spectral Whitening (OSW) technique is studied and applied on real data acquired in the Muarakarang Combined Cycle Power Plant area located in the Northern part of Jakarta, the Capitol of Indonesia. Datasets from GPR measurement with 100 MHz and 250 MHz was used. Each radargram from the same path was processed individually and then joined to become multiple composite radargram. The resulted composite radargram from a GPR line we studied has shown clearer image for interpretation rather than individual interpretation. The applicability of this multi-frequency compositing recommend further study to solve some facing problems in geotechnical engineering.