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    Subsurface Views: See The Big Picture

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    Risky Aftartu
    Using GPR, building a coherent view of all the data is important. "Dark" bands are normal at the top of the GPR cross-sections. The transmitter in GPR systems emit an electromagnetic pulse. The pulse signal traverses many possible paths to the receiver.

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    Subsurface Views: See The Big Picture

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    Risky Aftartu
    33 views4 pages
    Using GPR, building a coherent view of all the data is important. "Dark" bands are normal at the top of the GPR cross-sections. The transmitter in GPR systems emit an electromagnetic pulse. The pulse signal traverses many possible paths to the receiver.

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    2010 04 Subsurface Views

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    Using GPR, building a coherent view of all the data is important. "Dark" bands are normal at the top of the GPR cross-sections. The transmitter in GPR systems emit an electromagnetic pulse. The pulse signal traverses many possible paths to the receiver.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    33 views4 pages

    Subsurface Views: See The Big Picture

    Uploaded by

    Risky Aftartu
    Using GPR, building a coherent view of all the data is important. "Dark" bands are normal at the top of the GPR cross-sections. The transmitter in GPR systems emit an electromagnetic pulse. The pulse signal traverses many possible paths to the receiver.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 4

    GPR Technology

    Vol 6, No. 22, April 2010

    Subsurface Views

    Sensors & Software Inc.

    Compiling Multiple Data Sets

    GPR tips

    The beginning
    of GPR time

    See the Big Picture

    hen using GPR, building a coherent view of all the data is important.
    Real projects are rarely conducted on simple "rectangular shaped" sites.
    Further, surveys can extend over time as the scope of work changes.
    Examples best illustrate how compiling composite images makes the big picture visible.

    trong "dark" bands are normal at the


    top of the GPR cross-sections. The
    top of the section is the start
    of GPR recording time. (See
    Figure 1: Colour contour map of snow depth in a ski area. The map is created from the meandering path of
    Figure A - page 2). Customers
    a snow grooming machine which logged GPS position with GPR derived snow depth. The meandering path
    invariably ask "Why are they
    is shown as dotted lines.
    there?" and "Why can't they be
    eliminated?" Answering these
    questions requires understanding
    what the bands represent and how
    they are created.
    The transmitter in GPR systems
    emit an electromagnetic pulse. The
    pulse signal traverses many possible paths (Figure B) to the GPR
    receiver which detects the electromagnetic signal displayed in a GPR
    section. Increasing path length
    delays the signal arrival in time and
    greatly reduces the signal amplitude.
    The bands at the top of the GPR section
    are the waves which travel the shortest
    distance and arrive at the receiver first. In
    most GPR systems, the receiving antenna
    is placed very close to the transmitter to
    create a compact system. The first arrival
    direct wave signals are large (since their
    path is short) and create strong
    bands in the cross-section.
    GPR system developers strive
    to reduce the magnitude of
    direct signals since they can
    impact receiver electronics
    performance.
    (continued on page 2)

    Spatial positioning accuracy is


    critical in defining how to approach a
    project. Large scale mapping of slowly-varying responses can
    be accomplished by following one or more meandering paths while simultaneously
    recording position and GPR response. Detailed imaging of small scale structures is
    best achieved using regularized survey grids with accurately controlled positioning.
    SnowScan demonstrates the meandering path approach. Ski areas have irregular
    shapes and snow management only requires data footprints of several square
    meters. Inexpensive GPS devices provide positioning to meter level accuracy. GPR
    data combined with GPS using
    QuickMap software creates snow
    In this issue
    depth images (Figure 1). The meanThe beginning of GPR time ... . . 1, 2, 4
    dering path of the snow grooming
    machine carrying the instruments is
    See the Big Picture . . . . . . . . . . 1, 3
    superimposed.
    See us at . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

    s u b s u r f a c e

    (continued on page 3)

    i m a g i n g

    s o l u t i o n s

    Subsurface Views

    Page 2
    April 2010

    Sensors & Software Inc.

    The beginning of GPR time

    (continued from page 1)

    Some methods used to minimize the direct signal (and impacts) are:

    Dark bands at the


    top of the section

    Figure A: An example of a typical GPR


    section with the dark bands indicated at
    the top of the section.

    Figure B: The recorded GPR trace


    consists of the addition of signals
    that have travelled many paths from
    the transmitter to the receiver. Some
    paths are short, such as the direct
    wave paths P1 and P2, while some
    are longer like the reflection paths
    P3 and P4. Amplitude decreases
    rapidly and time increases linearly
    as path length increases.

    Increase the transmitter and receiver separation to increase


    the path length (increases the physical size of the system and
    reduces shallow target resolution).
    Shield the receiving antenna from direct waves (shields create
    other signal paths and do not reduce the direct ground wave
    signals).
    Use antenna polarization to minimize transmitter-receiver
    coupling (usually means all desired signals are equally
    reduced).
    Use non-linear electronic amplification to reduce or eliminate
    the initial signal (problem is hidden - not eliminated - with
    possibility of artifact creation).
    Apply the non-linear amplification (gain) to the recorded data
    (very easy to apply but just another form of hiding the issue).
    See Figure C.
    Estimate and subtract the direct wave signal using a digital
    processor, commonly used in post processing (effective but
    direct signals change with ground conditions making the
    subtraction imperfect). See Figure D.

    The bands at the top of the section are produced by the direct signal

    Individual trace
    before time gain

    Non-linear time gain suppresses direct signal, eliminating the bands

    Time gain

    Individual trace
    after time gain

    Figure C: A non-linear time gain was applied to the data from Figure A to suppress the direct signal.

    In all cases there are trade offs. The best philosophy is to record all signals with linear fidelity and maximize transmitter-receiver
    separation where possible to reduce signal dynamic range.
    The first arrival direct wave signals have beneficial aspects:

    The first arrival provides a great zero time reference.


    The signal presence or absence provides operators with a quick operational indicator.
    Consistency of the direct signal amplitude at controlled sites provides a quality assurance measure.
    The first arrival contains useful information about the ground's electrical properties.

    s u b s u r f a c e

    i m a g i n g

    s o l u t i o n s

    (continued on page 4)

    Subsurface Views

    Page 3
    April 2010

    Sensors & Software Inc.

    See the Big Picture

    (continued from page 1)

    Buried utility mapping and concrete imaging illustrate controlled


    grid acquisition. Targets are normally small, requiring footprints
    much less then 1 square meter. The spatial positioning accuracy
    desired cannot be obtained using inexpensive positioning systems. A
    further benefit of accurate positioned grid data is that it enables use
    of advanced processing such as migration that substantially
    enhances images.
    Noggin SmartCart data grids acquired over the span of 3 years
    are displayed together in Figure 2. The image clearly defines the
    locations of buried utilities leading to a remote building. The
    target has responses that vary rapidly in less than a meter and are
    enhanced using migration processing. The application required a
    footprint of about 0.25 m. Inexpensive GPS with 1 m accuracy
    augmented the grid controlled positioning. The georeferenced
    composite image was created using EKKO_Mapper software.

    Figure 2: A depth slice through a multiple grid data


    compilation. Grids were acquired over several years
    and stitched together to yield a bigger picture. Results
    can also be superimposed on Google Earth, like in
    Figure 1.

    Figure 3 shows Conquest grids spanning two rooms that have


    been pieced together using EKKO_Mapper. The footprint
    required to define the reinforcing structure and the location of a
    buried power cable is a few square centimeters. No inexpensive
    indoor positioning system was available, making controlled grid
    acquisition critical. Further, the in-building location required working around walls and furnishings using patchwork grid acquisition.
    These examples illustrate the critical issues when faced with
    surveying a complex site. For meandering path surveys:
    get clarity on the application objective;
    determine what footprint will be acceptable;
    determine whether GPR responses vary slowly over the footprint;
    confirm if the positioning uncertainty is smaller than the
    desired footprint; and
    have software such as QuickMap that melds multiple
    meandering paths into one image.

    Grid 7

    Grid 6

    Grid 5

    Grid 4

    For detailed imaging, use controlled grids. To be effective:

    subdivide the site into suitable patches;


    visualize the area as a set of small survey grids;
    define a local site coordinate system;
    locate each patch in local coordinates;
    if georeferencing is needed, establish the translation from
    local to global coordinates;
    establish rectilinear survey grids on each patch for GPR data
    acquisition;
    use any positioning system - it can help even if accuracy is limited;
    have a flexible compilation tool such as EKKO_Mapper software
    to stitch the individual grids into a composite image.

    Grid 3

    Grid 2
    Grid 1

    Plan ahead using these suggestions and you will definitely be able
    to see the big picture.

    s u b s u r f a c e

    i m a g i n g

    s o l u t i o n s

    Figure 3:
    Example of 7 Conquest grids
    assembled to track an
    electrical conduit under
    a slab-on-grade concrete
    floor. Being able to acquire
    data in localized patches
    allowed the field crew to
    work around furnishings,
    fixtures and building walls.

    Subsurface Views

    Page 4
    April 2010

    Sensors & Software Inc.

    Technical Papers & Notes

    See us at ...

    1. Electromagnetic Principles of
    Ground Penetrating Radar,

    PTI 2010

    2. Environmental site assessment of


    an oil field and detection and
    Ground Penetrating Radar: Theory and
    imaging of sinkholes using a
    Applications, p. 3-40
    novel geophysical method,
    By: A.P. Annan
    2009

    ref 397

    Fort Worth, TX
    May 2 - 4, 2010
    http://www.post-tensioning.org

    Special Section: Near-Surface Geophysics The Leading Edge, p. 1480-1486

    By: L. M.Gochioco, M. Zhang, M. Zhao,


    2008
    ref 398

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    The beginning of GPR time

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    (continued from page 2)

    Sensors & Software


    gives you the basics

    Our annual 3-day


    course is an intensive
    course covering GPR
    theory, case studies,
    survey techniques,
    data processing and
    interpretation. A
    practical day in the
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    Bands eliminated through background subtraction

    - - - initial plot
    - - - background
    subtracted plot

    Interested?
    Contact us early
    as space is limited.

    Figure D-1
    Figure D-2
    Figure D -1
    1: Signal amplitudes decrease rapidly with time which is approximately equivalent to path length. This common
    GPR display plot indicates the almost exponential decrease in amplitude versus time (or path length).

    [email protected]

    Figure D -2
    2: Another way to remove the strong first arrivals is to estimate the signals and subtract the estimate from the
    data. These data show the use of average trace background subtraction processing on the data in Figure A.

    In summary, the "dark" bands at the beginning of GPR time are:


    a fundamental physical aspect of any GPR measurement,
    caused by large signals but can be reduced by several methods, and
    carriers of useful information.

    s u b s u r f a c e
    Sensors

    &

    i m a g i n g

    s o l u t i o n s

    Software Inc. www.sensoft.ca [email protected] Tel: 905-624-8909 Fax: 905-624-9365

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