Abstract

Research was conducted at the University of Central Florida between September 1983 and July 1985 utilizing Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to determine values of dielectric constants of common earth materials and to establish a correlation between the dielectric constant of a material and its moisture content. GPR was also used on a concrete pavement to determine the dielectric constant of a concrete mix and to explore the possibilities of evaluating a concrete pavement by detecting embedded anomalies.

The earth materials selected for the purpose of this research were sandy soils, clayey soils and limestone aggregates. A model PVC tank supported with a metal frame and a concrete slab divided into four sections with each section simulating a different known condition were constructed to help in this research. The radar graphical outputs obtained from the investigated materials along with plots of computed dielectric constants versus measured moisture contents are presented in this report. Attenuation rates of transmitted signals in different earth materials were also discussed. Values of attenuation rates for varying conductivities of a material and varying frequencies of the transmitting antenna are presented in tabular form.

It is concluded from this research that GPR systems offer an accurate method of computing dielectric constants of typical earth materials and provide an excellent means of evaluating concrete pavements and locating buried anomalies such as reinforcing bars, pipes and simulated cavities.

Notes

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Graduation Date

1987

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Kuo, Shiou-San

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Engineering

Format

PDF

Pages

98 p.

Language

English

Rights

Public Domain

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0021499

Accessibility Status

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Engineering Commons

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