GPR surveys in enclosed underground sewer pipe space

Abstract

To identify voids around underground concrete sewer pipes, a few studies have introduced conducting in-pipe Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) inspection systems along the pipes. However, less research has focused on studying the implications of emission, propagation, and reception of electromagnetic waves in the enclosed environment of sewer pipes and their subsequent impact on the resulting radargrams. We defined simulation scenarios where we examine the influence of longitudinal and rotational survey types, antenna frequency, air–gap between antenna and sewer wall, antenna separation, and pipe wall’s mirroring effect on the resulting radargrams. Our results encourage practical considerations for designing in-pipe GPR surveys and outline the subsequent steps for automating the in-pipe GPR surveys.