Modelling the propagation of a radar signal through concrete as a low-pass filter

• Main Authors: Shaari, A., Millard, S. G., Bungey, J. H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2004
• Subjects: TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/6726/1/AmiruddinShaari2004_ModellingthePropagationofa.pdf; http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/6726/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ndteint.2003.09.009

The knowledge of how a dispersive, dielectric medium such as concrete affects a propagating short electromagnetic pulse used in ground penetrating radar (GPR) is helpful both in the interpretation of radar results and in the prediction/modelling of expected radar measurements. Although there are a number of published results on the frequency-dependent, dielectric properties of media such as concrete and soils, the use of this information is still relatively small, primarily due the lack of a reliable method of applying these properties to propagating radar pulses. Modelling the dielectric medium as low-pass filter is one solution to this difficulty. In this paper the propagation of short pulses in concrete with known frequency-dependent properties is studied. The extent of how the pulses are attenuated and distorted is analysed and the implications on GPR applications are also discussed