An alternative approach for detecting cavities in reinforced concrete structures using GPR A-scan data

Abstract

This paper introduces an alternative approach for detecting cavities in reinforced concrete walls using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) A-scan data. GPR, leveraging electromagnetic waves, is extensively applied for cavity detection within structures. The nature of electromagnetic waves, significantly influenced by reflective media and attenuating through them, requires specialized analysis methods for data interpretation. Traditional methods often involve identifying and eliminating overlapping reflection patterns or adjusting signal magnitude at specific depths to isolate peak signals from the target object's surface, which can be subjective and complex. To overcome these challenges, this study proposes quantitatively assessing the presence of cavities by analyzing the integral area of A-scan data within suspected ranges. Observations indicate a substantial difference in reflection patterns between areas with and without cavities, showcasing the potential of this approach for quantitative cavity detection. This approach offers a more objective and quantitative basis for identifying cavities in reinforced concrete structures. © 2024 The Authors