Ground Penetrating Radar for Pavement Applications

Ground-penetrating radar is a new non-destructive tool for pavement evaluation. Pulse Radar, Inc., a U.S. company, headquartered in Houston, Texas, proposes to construct a unique air-coupled dual antenna system for both shallow and deep ground penetration. Shallow penetration will measure thickness and integrity of upper pavement layers. Deep penetratin will determine the location of bedrock which is critical in interpreting deflection data. The Phase I goal is to define the system and components suitable for Phase II construction and testing of a mobile pavement evaluation unit meeting all military criteria. Phase I objectives are: o To refine our existing 1 GHz horn antenna system to produce a clear, clean radar pulse, minimizing system jitter and clutter, for layer thickness determination, o To develop and test our current prototype low frequency antenna for bedrock determination, o To develop integrated software for data acquisitin and display from the dual system, and o To develop mproved automated signal processing software for layer thickness calculations. Pulse Radar, Inc. already manufactures and retails in the USA and foreign countries, a van-mounted shallow penetration antenna system called RODAR R-4 for pavement layer thickness determination. The development of a dual antenna system, real time analysis, and automated signal processing software will greatly expand its usefulness and commercial potential.