Detection of Leakage Areas in an Earth Embankment from GPR Measurements and Permeability Logging

Raphaël Antoine,Cyrille Fauchard,Edouard Durand,Yannick Fargier

doi:10.1155/2015/610172

Abstract

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a nondestructive method allowing the improvement of our knowledge of civil engineering structures. In particular, this method may be a nondestructive efficient tool for dike diagnosis and complete classical geotechnical methods. In this paper, we present GPR observations obtained on an earth embankment (crest and sloped paved revetment) in bad condition and located on the lateral canal of the Loire river (Saint Firmin, 80 km South East of Orléans). These measurements are combined with corings, visual inspection, and permeability logging performed with an updated drilling system, the Perméafor. This survey leads (i) to the detection of decompressed zones associated with leakage areas visible at the foot of the downstream slope and (ii) to the location of potentials voids underneath the paved revetment. This multidisciplinary approach complied with the dike inspection methodology proves its efficiency for the assessment of earth embankments.

Highlights

Regular maintenance and monitoring of vulnerable sites become important in the context of risk prevention and sustainable management
The Ground penetrating radar (GPR) signals are significantly attenuated in certain areas, corresponding to repairs, clayey materials, and high water content in the soil
The measurements performed on the crest of the embankment with the 200 MHz antenna confirm the lithology observed with the coring samples

Summary

Introduction

Regular maintenance and monitoring of vulnerable sites become important in the context of risk prevention and sustainable management. Regular controls are necessary to monitor these sites and to provide useful information on the dike conditions to the stakeholder. For this purpose, a general methodology has been described in many works [1,2,3]. A general methodology has been described in many works [1,2,3] This methodology recommends the gathering of data issued from various preliminary studies such as historical research, geological and geomorphological study, and visual inspection. The use of geophysical methods combined with geotechnical surveys completes the aforementioned stages in order to provide the best possible assessment

Results

Discussion

Conclusion