ASTM D6432-19
(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
5.1 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 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.
5.1.1 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.
5.1.2 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 (31)).
5.2 Parameter Being Measured and Representative Values:
5.2.1 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 or waves. The relative permittivity of the material (εr) through which the EM pulse or wave 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 (32)):
where:
c ...
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 Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Method. GPR is most often employed as a technique that uses high-frequency electromagnetic (EM) waves (from 10 to 7000 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)2), 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 (5)), mapping contaminants (Cosgrave et al (6); Brewster and Annan (7); Daniels et al (8)), conducting archaeological (Vaughan (9)) and forensic investigations (Davenport et al (10)), inspection of brick, masonry, and concrete structures, roads and railroad trackbed studies (Ulrik...
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D6432 − 19
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* bridge scour studies (Placzek and Haeni (11)). Additional
applications and case studies can be found in the various
1.1 Purpose and Application:
Proceedings of the International Conferences on Ground
1.1.1 Thisguidecoverstheequipment,fieldprocedures,and
Penetrating Radar(Luciusetal (12);HannienandAutio, (13),
interpretation methods for the assessment of subsurface mate-
Redman, (14); Sato, (15); Plumb (16)), various Proceedings of
rials using the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Method. GPR
the Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineer-
ismostoftenemployedasatechniquethatuseshigh-frequency
ing and Environmental Problems (Environmental and Engi-
electromagnetic(EM)waves(from10to7000MHz)toacquire
neering Geophysical Society, 1988–2019), and The Ground
subsurfaceinformation.GPRdetectschangesinEMproperties
Penetrating Radar Workshop (Pilon (17)), EPA (18), Daniels
(dielectric permittivity, conductivity, and magnetic
(19), and Jol (20) provide overviews of the GPR method.
permeability), that in a geologic setting, are a function of soil
and rock material, water content, and bulk density. Data are
1.2 Limitations:
normallyacquiredusingantennasplacedonthegroundsurface
1.2.1 This guide provides an overview of the GPR method.
or in boreholes. The transmitting antenna radiates EM waves
It does not address details of the theory, field procedures, or
that propagate in the subsurface and reflect from boundaries at
interpretation of the data. References are included for that
which there are EM property contrasts. The receiving GPR
purpose and are considered an essential part of this guide. It is
antenna records the reflected waves over a selectable time
recommendedthattheuseroftheGPRmethodbefamiliarwith
range. The depths to the reflecting interfaces are calculated
the relevant material within this guide and the references cited
from the arrival times in the GPR data if the EM propagation
in the text and with Guides D420, D5730, D5753, D6429, and
velocity in the subsurface can be estimated or measured.
D6235.
1.1.2 GPRmeasurementsasdescribedinthisguideareused
1.2.2 This guide is limited to the commonly used approach
in geologic, engineering, hydrologic, and environmental appli-
to GPR measurements from the ground surface. The method
cations. The GPR method is used to map geologic conditions
canbeadaptedforanumberofspecialusesonice(Haenietal
that include depth to bedrock, depth to the water table (Wright
(21); Wright et al (22)), within or between boreholes (Lane et
2
et al (1) ), depth and thickness of soil strata on land and under
al (23); Lane et al (24)), on water (Haeni (25)), and airborne
fresh water bodies (Beres and Haeni (2)), and the location of
(Arcone et al (25)) applications. A discussion of these other
subsurface cavities and fractures in bedrock (Ulriksen (3) and
adaptationsofGPRmeasurementsisnotincludedinthisguide.
Imse and Levine (4)). Other applications include the location
1.2.3 TheapproachessuggestedinthisguideforusingGPR
of objects such as pipes, drums, tanks, cables, and boulders,
are the most commonly used, widely accepted, and proven;
mapping landfill and trench boundaries (Benson et al (5)),
however, other approaches or modifications to using GPR that
mapping contaminants (Cosgrave et al (6); Brewster and
aretechnicallysoundmaybesubstitutediftechnicallyjustified
Annan (7); Daniels et al (8)), conducting archaeological
and documented.
(Vaughan (9)) and forensic investigations (Davenport et al
(10)), inspection of brick, masonry, and concrete structures,
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
roadsandrailroadtrackbedstudies(Ulriksen (3)),andhighway
as standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
informationonlyandarenotconsideredstandard.Reportingof
test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as
1
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoilandRock nonconformance with this standard.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and Subsurface
1.4 This guide offers an organized collection of information
Characterization.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2019. Published December 2019. Originally
or a series of options and d
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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 − 11 D6432 − 19
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. A number 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
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 30007000 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
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 (5)), mapping
contaminants (Cosgrave et al (6); Brewster and Annan (7); Daniels et al (8)), conducting archaeological (Vaughan (9)) and forensic
investigations (Davenport et al (10)), inspection of brick, masonry, and concrete structures, roads and railroad trackbed studies
(Ulriksen (3)), and highway bridge scour studies (Placzek and Haeni (11)). Additional applications and case studies can be found
in the various Proceedings of the International Conferences on Ground Penetrating Radar (Lucius et al (12); Hannien and Autio,
(13), Redman, (14); Sato, (15); Plumb (16)), various Proceedings of the Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to
Engineering and Environmental Problems (Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society, 1988–1998),1988–2019), and
The Ground Penetrating Radar Workshop (Pilon (17)), EPA (18), Daniels (19), and Jol (20) 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 (21); Wright et al (22)), within or between boreholes (Lane et al (23);
Lane et al (24)), on water (Haeni (25)), and airborne (Arcone et al (25)) applications. A discussion 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, other approaches or modifications to using GPR that are technically sound may be substituted if technically justified and
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 judgment.
1
This guide is under th
...
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