Numerical study of electromagnetic wave propagation characteristics in collapsed building for rescue radar applications

Abstract

Since the Gyeongju earthquakes in 2016, there have been increased research interests in the areas of seismic design, building collapse, and rescue radar applications in Korea. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a nondestructive electromagnetic method that is used for underground surveys. To properly design ground penetrating radar that detects buried victims precisely, it is important to study electromagnetic wave propagation channel characteristics in advance. This work presents an electromagnetic propagation environment analysis of a trapped victim for GPR applications. In this study, we develop a realistic collapse model composed of layered reinforced concrete and a victim positioned horizontally. In addition, the effects of rebars and the distance between the radar antenna and target are investigated. The numerical analysis presents the electromagnetic wave propagation characteristics, including amplitude loss and phase difference, in the 450-MHz and 1,500-MHz frequency band, and it shows the electric field distribution in the environment.