Geosciences
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
An applied programme in ground penetrating radar: propagation and reflection of electromagnetic waves, choice of antenna frequency, 2D and 3D survey planning, basic processing, and interpretation of profiles and time slices in engineering, geological and environmental applications.
Overview
About the programme
Duration
2 days
Delivery
Training room with field work
Language
Arabic or English
Objectives
Training outcomes
- Understand radar wave propagation and its relation to dielectric permittivity and conductivity, and the causes of attenuation in clayey and saline soils.
- Choose the antenna frequency for the required penetration depth and resolution.
- Plan and carry out profile and 3D grid surveys, and estimate wave velocity from diffraction hyperbolas or a common midpoint measurement.
- Carry out the basic processing steps: time-zero correction, dewow, gain, background removal and migration.
- Interpret profiles and time slices, convert time to depth, and write a survey report that states its limitations.
Content
What the programme covers
Day 1: principles, design and acquisition
- Electromagnetic wave propagation, dielectric permittivity, velocity, attenuation and reflection at boundaries.
- Antennas and their frequencies, the trade-off between depth and resolution, and shielded and unshielded antennas.
- Survey design: profile direction and spacing, 3D grids, odometer wheel calibration and positioning.
- Field exercise: profiles over known targets such as buried pipes and utilities.
Day 2: processing and interpretation
- Processing: time-zero correction, dewow, gain functions, filtering, background removal and migration.
- Velocity estimation from diffraction hyperbolas and time-to-depth conversion.
- Time slices and 3D display.
- Case studies: buried utilities, rebar and the thickness of concrete and pavements, cavities, shallow water tables and sedimentary layering, followed by the assessment.
Who it is for
Target audience
Civil and geotechnical engineers, utilities and infrastructure engineers, geophysicists and geologists, and archaeological and environmental survey teams.
Method
Delivery method
A short theoretical introduction, field acquisition over known targets, then processing and interpretation on the computer. Field work uses the organisation’s instrument where available; instrument and site arrangements are agreed with the organisation before delivery. Delivered in Arabic or English.
Questions
FAQ
Does ground penetrating radar work in all soils?
No. Its penetration falls in clayey and saline soils of high conductivity. Participants learn to judge this before a survey and to propose an alternative geophysical method when needed.
Can the training use our own instrument and processing software?
Yes. Field work and processing can be done on the organisation’s instrument and software once the centre receives the model and its manuals before delivery; the processing principles are the same across software packages.
A programme tailored to your organisation
The duration and topics of the programme are adjusted to the organisation's needs, and it is delivered at its site, in a training hall arranged by the Center, or virtually.