A study of the effect of buried biomass on ground-penetrating radar performance

摘要

It is widely acknowledged that tree roots and other forms of buried biomass have an adverse effect on the performance of ground-penetrating radars (GPRs). In this work we present experimental and theoretical work that quantifies that effect. Test sites containing extensive root infiltration at Eglin Air Force Base, FL were probed with a GPR. After completing the measurements, the sites were excavated, and the root structure and soil were thoroughly characterized. Supplemental GPR measurements of simple cylindrical objects in a laboratory setting were performed to investigate the basic scattering behavior of buried roots. A numerical simulator based on the Discrete Dipole Approximation (DDA), an integral-equation-based method, was developed, validated and subsequently used to compute scattering from root structures modeled by an ensemble of buried cylinders. A comparison of the measurements and numerical calculations is presented that quantifies the potential for false alarms and increased clutter due to buried roots.