ASTM D6432-11
(Guide)Standard Guide for Using the Surface Ground Penetrating Radar Method for Subsurface Investigation
Standard Guide for Using the Surface Ground Penetrating Radar Method for Subsurface Investigation
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Concepts—This guide summarizes the equipment, field procedures, and data processing methods used to interpret geologic conditions, and to identify and provide locations of geologic anomalies and man-made objects with the GPR method. The GPR uses high-frequency-pulsed EM waves (from 10 to 3000 MHz) to acquire subsurface information. Energy is propagated downward into the ground from a transmitting antenna and is reflected back to a receiving antenna from subsurface boundaries between media possessing different EM properties. The reflected signals are recorded to produce a scan or trace of radar data. Typically, scans obtained as the antenna(s) are moved over the ground surface are placed side by side to produce a radar profile.
The vertical scale of the radar profile is in units of two-way travel time, the time it takes for an EM wave to travel down to a reflector and back to the surface. The travel time may be converted to depth by relating it to on-site measurements or assumptions about the velocity of the radar waves in the subsurface materials.
Vertical variations in propagation velocity due to changing EM properties of the subsurface can make it difficult to apply a linear time scale to the radar profile (Ulriksen (32)).
Parameter Being Measured and Representative Values:
Two-Way Travel Time and Velocity—A GPR trace is the record of the amplitude of EM energy that has been reflected from interfaces between materials possessing different EM properties and recorded as a function of two-way travel time. To convert two-way times to depths, it is necessary to estimate or determine the propagation velocity of the EM pulses. The relative permittivity of the material (εr) through which the EM pulse propagates mostly determines the propagation velocity of the EM wave. The propagation velocity through the material is approximated using the following relationship (see full formula in Balanis (33)):
where: c= propagation velocity in free space (3 × 108m/...
SCOPE
1.1 Purpose and Application:
1.1.1 This guide covers the equipment, field procedures, and interpretation methods for the assessment of subsurface materials using the impulse Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Method. GPR is most often employed as a technique that uses high-frequency electromagnetic (EM) waves (from 10 to 3000 MHz) to acquire subsurface information. GPR detects changes in EM properties (dielectric permittivity, conductivity, and magnetic permeability), that in a geologic setting, are a function of soil and rock material, water content, and bulk density. Data are normally acquired using antennas placed on the ground surface or in boreholes. The transmitting antenna radiates EM waves that propagate in the subsurface and reflect from boundaries at which there are EM property contrasts. The receiving GPR antenna records the reflected waves over a selectable time range. The depths to the reflecting interfaces are calculated from the arrival times in the GPR data if the EM propagation velocity in the subsurface can be estimated or measured.
1.1.2 GPR measurements as described in this guide are used in geologic, engineering, hydrologic, and environmental applications. The GPR method is used to map geologic conditions that include depth to bedrock, depth to the water table (Wright et al (1) ), depth and thickness of soil strata on land and under fresh water bodies (Beres and Haeni (2)), and the location of subsurface cavities and fractures in bedrock (Ulriksen (3) and Imse and Levine (4)). Other applications include the location of objects such as pipes, drums, tanks, cables, and boulders , mapping landfill and trench boundaries (Benson et al (6)), mapping contaminants (Cosgrave et al (7); Brewster and Annan (8); Daniels et al (9)), conducting archaeological (Vaughan (10)) and forensic investigations (Davenport et al (11)), inspection of brick, masonry, and concrete structures, roads and railroad trackbed studie...
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Designation: D6432 − 11
Standard Guide for
Using the Surface Ground Penetrating Radar Method for
1
Subsurface Investigation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6432; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* roadsandrailroadtrackbedstudies(Ulriksen (3)),andhighway
bridge scour studies (Placzek and Haeni (11)). Additional
1.1 Purpose and Application:
applications and case studies can be found in the various
1.1.1 Thisguidecoverstheequipment,fieldprocedures,and
Proceedings of the International Conferences on Ground
interpretation methods for the assessment of subsurface mate-
Penetrating Radar(Luciusetal (12);HannienandAutio, (13),
rials using the impulse Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Redman, (14); Sato, (15); Plumb (16)), various Proceedings of
Method. GPR is most often employed as a technique that uses
the Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineer-
high-frequency electromagnetic (EM) waves (from 10 to 3000
ing and Environmental Problems (Environmental and Engi-
MHz) to acquire subsurface information. GPR detects changes
neering Geophysical Society, 1988–1998), and The Ground
in EM properties (dielectric permittivity, conductivity, and
Penetrating Radar Workshop (Pilon (17)), EPA (18), Daniels
magnetic permeability), that in a geologic setting, are a
(19), and Jol (20) provide overviews of the GPR method.
function of soil and rock material, water content, and bulk
1.1.3 The geotechnical industry uses English or SI units.
density. Data are normally acquired using antennas placed on
the ground surface or in boreholes. The transmitting antenna
1.2 Limitations:
radiates EM waves that propagate in the subsurface and reflect
1.2.1 This guide provides an overview of the impulse GPR
fromboundariesatwhichthereareEMpropertycontrasts.The
method. It does not address details of the theory, field
receiving GPR antenna records the reflected waves over a
procedures, or interpretation of the data. References are in-
selectabletimerange.Thedepthstothereflectinginterfacesare
cluded for that purpose and are considered an essential part of
calculated from the arrival times in the GPR data if the EM
this guide. It is recommended that the user of the GPR method
propagation velocity in the subsurface can be estimated or
be familiar with the relevant material within this guide and the
measured.
references cited in the text and with Guides D420, D5730,
1.1.2 GPRmeasurementsasdescribedinthisguideareused
D5753, D6429, and D6235.
in geologic, engineering, hydrologic, and environmental appli-
1.2.2 This guide is limited to the commonly used approach
cations. The GPR method is used to map geologic conditions
to GPR measurements from the ground surface. The method
that include depth to bedrock, depth to the water table (Wright
canbeadaptedforanumberofspecialusesonice(Haenietal
2
et al (1) ), depth and thickness of soil strata on land and under
(21); Wright et al (22)), within or between boreholes (Lane et
fresh water bodies (Beres and Haeni (2)), and the location of
al (23); Lane et al (24)), on water (Haeni (25)), and airborne
subsurface cavities and fractures in bedrock (Ulriksen (3) and
(Arcone et al (25)) applications. A discussion of these other
Imse and Levine (4)). Other applications include the location
adaptationsofGPRmeasurementsisnotincludedinthisguide.
of objects such as pipes, drums, tanks, cables, and boulders,
1.2.3 TheapproachessuggestedinthisguideforusingGPR
mapping landfill and trench boundaries (Benson et al (5)),
are the most commonly used, widely accepted, and proven;
mapping contaminants (Cosgrave et al (6); Brewster and
however, other approaches or modifications to using GPR that
Annan (7); Daniels et al (8)), conducting archaeological
aretechnicallysoundmaybesubstitutediftechnicallyjustified
(Vaughan (9)) and forensic investigations (Davenport et al
and documented.
(10)), inspection of brick, masonry, and concrete structures,
1.2.4 This guide offers an organized collection of informa-
tion or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
1
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoilandRock
experienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithprofessional
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and Subsurface
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
Characterization.
Current edition approved May 1, 2011. Published June 2011. Originally
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D6
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately,ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D6432–99 (Reapproved 2005) Designation: D6432 – 11
Standard Guide for
Using the Surface Ground Penetrating Radar Method for
1
Subsurface Investigation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6432; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 Purpose and Application:
1.1.1 This guide covers the equipment, field procedures, and interpretation methods for the assessment of subsurface materials
usingtheimpulseGroundPenetratingRadar(GPR)Method.GPRismostoftenemployedasatechniquethatuseshigh-frequency
electromagnetic (EM) waves (from 10 to 3000 MHz) to acquire subsurface information. GPR detects changes in EM properties
(dielectricpermittivity,conductivity,andmagneticpermeability),thatinageologicsetting,areafunctionofsoilandrockmaterial,
water content, and bulk density. Data are normally acquired using antennas placed on the ground surface or in boreholes. The
transmitting antenna radiates EM waves that propagate in the subsurface and reflect from boundaries at which there are EM
propertycontrasts.ThereceivingGPRantennarecordsthereflectedwavesoveraselectabletimerange.Thedepthstothereflecting
interfaces are calculated from the arrival times in the GPR data if the EM propagation velocity in the subsurface can be estimated
or measured.
1.1.2 GPR measurements as described in this guide are used in geologic, engineering, hydrologic, and environmental
applications.The GPR method is used to map geologic conditions that include depth to bedrock, depth to the water table (Wright
2
et al (1) ), depth and thickness of soil strata on land and under fresh water bodies (Beres and Haeni (2)), and the location of
subsurface cavities and fractures in bedrock (Ulriksen (3) and Imse and Levine (4)). Other applications include the location of
objects such as pipes, drums, tanks, cables, and boulders , mapping landfill and trench boundaries (Benson et al (6)), mapping
contaminants (Cosgrave et al (7); Brewster and Annan (8); Daniels et al (9)), conducting archaeological (Vaughan (10)) and
forensic investigations (Davenport et al (11)), inspection of brick, masonry, and concrete structures, roads and railroad trackbed
studies (Ulriksen (3)), and highway bridge scour studies (Placzek and Haeni (12)). Additional applications and case studies can
be found in the various Proceedings of the International Conferences on Ground Penetrating Radar (Lucius et al (13); Hannien
andAutio, (14), Redman, (15); Sato, (16); Plumb (17)), various Proceedings of the Symposium on the Application of Geophysics
to Engineering and Environmental Problems(EnvironmentalandEngineeringGeophysicalSociety,1988–1998),andTheGround
Penetrating Radar Workshop (Pilon (18) ), EPA(19), and Daniels ), Daniels (20), and Jol (21) provide overviews of the GPR
method.
1.1.3 The geotechnical industry uses English or SI units.
1.2 Limitations:
1.2.1 This guide provides an overview of the impulse GPR method. It does not address details of the theory, field procedures,
or interpretation of the data. References are included for that purpose and are considered an essential part of this guide. It is
recommended that the user of the GPR method be familiar with the relevant material within this guide and the references cited
in the text and with Guides D420, D5730, D5753, D6429, and D6235.
1.2.2 This guide is limited to the commonly used approach to GPR measurements from the ground surface. The method can
be adapted for a number of special uses on ice (Haeni et al (2122); Wright et al (2223)), within or between boreholes (Lane et al
(2324); Lane et al (2425)), on water (Haeni (2526)), and airborne (Arcone et al (2526)) applications.Adiscussion of these other
adaptations of GPR measurements is not included in this guide.
1.2.3 The approaches suggested in this guide for using GPR are the most commonly used, widely accepted, and proven;
however,otherapproachesormodificationstousingGPRthataretechnicallysoundmaybesubstitutediftechnicallyjustifiedand
documented.
1.2.4 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course
of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM CommitteeD18 on Soil and Rock and is
...
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