The practical application of numerical modelling for the advanced interpretation of ground-penetrating radar

Abstract

Ahsfract-As GPR technology improves, there is an increasing demand for more sophisticated and detailed interpretational tools. Numerical modelling has become one of the most popular advanced methods and there is B wide range of electromagnetic modelling schemes available to the GPR user. The finitedifference, time-domain (FDTD) technique is one of the most common, as it provides modellers with a robust, flexible yet accurate modelling scheme that is capable of simulating GPR wave propagation in complex, three-dimensional, heterogeneous, lossy subsurface environments. Through the use of a wellconstrained example, the realistic modeling of near-surface GPR is evaluated including the practical limitations and application constrains of the FDTD method. The results show that despite some obvious deficiencies, even a relatively basic FDTD model can provide important additional information for the advanced interpretation of GPR data.