Non-destructive monitoring of highways using georadar (review article, part II)

Abstract

Relevance. The relevance of the research presented in the article is primarily due to the focus on the implementation of the state strategy to ensure the reliability and prolong the residual life of transport and engineering structures. Implementation is associated with methods and means of obtaining information and processing it in real time, as well as methods of assessing the condition of engineering structures, which are characterized by significant heterogeneity of geometric and physical-mechanical parameters. It is clear that this complicates the use of diagnostic results. However, despite the advantages of wave sounding methods, the use of such methods is constrained by the difficulty of interpreting the results and related errors in determining the parameters of structures, as well as multifactorial tasks of estimating the parameters of multicomponent materials and imperfections of existing methods of defectoscopy.

The aim of the work is to review the capabilities of modern pulsed georadars, as well as means of processing ultra-wideband signals together with computer-oriented numerical simulation systems and optimize methods of georadar data processing to solve problems of detection and identification of subsurface inhomogeneities in application of flat-layered medium models.

Materials and methods. The second part of the article provides a brief overview of modern methods of processing data sets obtained using pulsed georadars. To achieve the goal it was necessary to solve several tasks. The first task is to select the optimal technical means to obtain source information, as well as substantiation of the technical characteristics of georadars. Another task is to develop effective methods of processing the data. The last task is to establish the relationship of the obtained data with the geometric and physico-mechanical characteristics of the road surface.

Results. The basis of the obtained results is remote sensing data, as well as the proposed mathematical models and methods of remote sensing data processing. Based on the results of a comparative analysis of the capabilities of pulsed georadars, the paper offers practical recommendations for improving the reliability of search and identification of defects such as subsurface cracks and areas of loss of interlayer adhesion between layers of pavement.

Conclusions. The results of laboratory experiments presented in the article testify to the powerful possibilities of modern remote sensing technologies. The analysis of the existing means of remote sensing, first of all, with the help of georadars allowed to formulate a qualitatively new approach to solving the current problem of detecting hidden defects in layered structures. It should also be noted that there are opportunities to improve technical means and methods of georadar data processing.