OLSSON, O., FALK, L., FORSLUND, O., LUNDMARK, L. and SANDBERG, E. 1992. Borehole radar applied to the characterization of hydraulically conductive fracture zones in crystalline rock. Geophysical Prospecting 40, 109-142.The borehole radar system, RAMAC, developed within the framework of the International Stripa Project, can be used in three different measuring modes; single-hole reflection, crosshole reflection and cross-hole tomography. The reflection modes basically provide geometrical data on features located at some distance from the borehole. In addition the strength of the reflections indicate the contrast in electrical properties. Single-hole reflection data are cylindrically symmetrical with respect to the borehole, which means that a unique fracture orientation cannot be obtained. A method has been devised where absolute orientation of fracture zones is obtained by combining single-hole reflection data from adjacent holes. Similar methods for the analysis of cross-hole reflection data have also been developed and found to be efficient. The radar operates in the frequency range 20-60 MHz which gives a resolution of 1-3 m in crystalline rock. The investigation range obtained in the Stripa granite is approximately 100 m in the single-hole mode and 2W300 m in the cross-hole mode.Variations in the arrival time and amplitude of the direct wave between transmitter and receiver have been used for cross-hole tomographic imaging to yield maps of radar velocity and attenuation. The cross-hole measurement configuration coupled with tomographic inversion has less resolution than the reflection methods but provides better quantitative estimates of the values of measured properties.The analysis of the radar data has provided a consistent description of the fracture zones at the Stripa Cross-hole site in agreement with both geological and geophysical observations. 109 110 OLLE OLSSON ET A L .Comparison of the radar results with seismic cross-hole data showed excellent agreement with respect to shape and location of the fracture zones in space. Comparison with hydraulic data shows that the features identified by radar are of hydrogeological significance.

A borehole pulse radar system has been developed as part of the International Stripa Project with the objective to identify and characterize fracture zones at a considerable distance from boreholes. The radar uses very short pulses, which are transmitted and received by dipole antennas inserted into the boreholes. The pulses are extremely broadband with center frequencies of 25–60 MHz corresponding to wavelengths of a few meters in the rock. At 25 MHz the attenuation in the Stripa granite is 28 dB/100 m and the pulse velocity is approximately 128 000 km/s. Reflection measurements have been used to identify fracture zones and determine their position and orientation. The zones often cause strong and well-defined reflections. Improvements in the pulse form and numerical filtering of the data have consequently made the radar a very efficient instrument for locating fracture zones. During measurements in Stripa reflections from fracture zones have been observed more than 100 m from the borehole.

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A new short-pulse radar system (RAMAC) developed by ABEM AB has now been in operation for three years during which more than 100 km of borehole logging has been performed. The bulk of the surveys have been in granites and gneisses.The RAMAC system operates at centre frequencies in the interval 20 to 60 MHz. At those frequencies single-hole reflection ranges of 50 to 150 m are normally obtained in gneissic and granitic rock. Cross-hole ranges have in some cases exceeded 300 m. The large probing range in combination with resolution of the order of a few metres makes borehole radar a unique technique for investigation of fracture zones in crystalline rock.Case histories illustrate application of the RAMAC system in three different configurations (single-hole reflection, cross-hole reflection, and cross-hole tomography) and demonstrate how combination of these three can yield consistent 3D models of fracture zones and other structures.