Finite-difference time domain (FDTD) modeling of ground penetrating radar pulse energy for locating burial sites

Abstract

Analysis of the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) numerical simulation of ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurement for locating burial sites is described in this paper. Effective, efficient, and reliability interpretation of GPR field data obtained from clandestine sites is very crucial in forensic investigations. The main goal of the study is the prediction of the change in the interaction of the electromagnetic incident on changes in buried bodies with time. In order to achieve this, the research involves the modeling of the GPR electromagnetic pulse energy responses to simulated changes in buried body with time with a view to understand what the results of real field measurement will give. The field measurements were conducted with GPR system manufactured by Mala Geoscience with antennae frequency of 500 MHz, 250 MHz, and 100 MHz. Responses from both synthetic and field radargrams depict the target was intercepted at same time (approximately 25 ns). The results have demonstrated that FDTD modeling is an important tool for enhancing the reliability of GPR data interpretation particularly for forensic study.

Location of agate geodes in Permian deposits of Simota gully using the GPR

“…The procedures commonly used are time-varying signal amplification, standard filtration, migration and others. Modeling and simulation of real geological conditions that respond to the electromagnetic field may also enhance GPR interpretations and deductions (Akinsunmade et al 2019). All data were processed with the ReflexW program of the German company Sandmeier.…”

Utilizing Ground-Penetrating Radar for Water Leak Detection and Pipe Material Characterization in Environmental Studies: A Case Study

“…The GPR method uses short high-frequency electromagnetic (EM) pulses ranging from 10 MHz to 2.6 GHz [48], sent into the subsurface by a transmitter antenna and received by a receiver antenna to produce visual representations of shallow soil and rock conditions [49,50]. GPR works effectively in soils with low conductivity and can conduct quick and continuous scans over a large area within a short duration [51].…”

GPR Detection of Fossil Structures in Conductive Media Supported by FDTD Modelling and Attributes Analysis: An Example from Early Pleistocene Marine Clay at Bargiano Site (Central Italy)

“…The results of GPR investigation were integrated with GPR Finite-Difference Time Domain numerical simulations (FDTD) [53], with the aim of highlighting the cololites and fossiliferous beds buried in a relatively homogeneous clayey formation. Synthetic GPR data can provide important information during the survey planning as well as for an advanced GPR interpretation.…”

“…Several GPR numerical modelling methods are currently available for various GPR applications [3,4,54]. The Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method of approximation is based on Maxwell's equations describing the behavior and effect of electromagnetism [53,[55][56][57][58]. Among the most-used commercial and open-source GPR modelling software there are Reflex-Win [59], gprMax [60][61][62], and matGPR [63].…”