Influence of the rock massif physical properties variability on the localization of its disturbances with GPR

Abstract

An integrated approach to studying the influence of the physical properties of a rock mass on the localization of its disturbances by GPR sounding is considered. The performed studies have established that, during GPR sounding of rock masses, there is a distortion of the induced electromagnetic field in areas with different physical properties of rocks (such as: massif heterogeneity, rock fracturing, zones of increased water saturation, etc.). Regularities in the formation of wave patterns of GPR model data (changes in the in-phase axes and amplitude characteristics of the signal) of a rock mass containing structural inhomogeneities are revealed. During GPR sounding of such a rock mass, reflections from the edge parts of inhomogeneities appear in the wave patterns in the form of branches of hyperbolas. The intensity of the wave field distortion is determined by the contrast of the physical properties of rocks, as well as the spatial orientation and depth of heterogeneities, which is a key parameter of GPR sounding. It has been established that the variability of the physical properties of rocks in a rock mass near faults introduces significant distortions in the parameters determined by GPR sounding, including the angle of incidence of faults.