Comparison of GEORADAR-EXPERT with Software from Other Manufacturers
Similarity
The GEORADAR-EXPERT software system implements a complete set of data processing options, which should be present in each software for processing GPR information. These are various types of filtering and other standard options for digital signal processing, managing GPR profile parameters, working with user-defined layer boundaries, etc. That is, everything that a specialist in processing GPR data is used to using in his professional activity.
Differences
The main difference between GEORADAR-EXPERT and software from other manufacturers is the implementation of an automated analysis of the back-scattering electromagnetic field BSEF. BSEF analysis provides increased information content of the GPR data processing results and a low level of human factor influence on the final processing result. The ability to batch process data and automate user actions provides good processing speed for large volumes of information. The algorithms and methods implemented in the GEORADAR-EXPERT software system provide more opportunities for studying complexly constructed subsurface environments and obtaining useful information from low-contrast and noisy GPR data. GEORADAR-EXPERT includes the following options specially designed for this software:
✓
Automated analysis of the back-scattering electromagnetic field BSEF. Carries out the
transition from the presentation of data on the subsurface in the form
of a set of amplitudes of the reflected signals in the form of a
radarogram to the characteristics of this subsurface in the form of an
attribute section. Such a presentation makes the result of processing
GPR data more understandable both to geophysicists and specialists in
related fields. For example, geologists or design-and-planning
engineers. BSEF analysis works well in areas of strong noise located at
the bottom of the GPR profile, which allows to increase the depth of GPR
research. Along with this, the BSEF analysis provides information on
the structure of the investigated subsurface environment even under
conditions of a smooth change in its electrophysical characteristics,
i.e. in the absence of layer boundaries on the radarogram.
✓
B-Detector Method (Boundaries Detector).
This method is designed to detect reflections from the boundaries of
layers in the wave pattern of a GPR profile, suppress interference that
overlaps these reflections, and increase the vertical resolution of GPR
data. Using the B-Detector, the user manages the frequency and width of
the spectrum of the signals, thereby changing their duration and degree
of detail of the radarogram. As a result of processing by the B-Detector
GPR method, the profile obtained by the low-frequency antenna looks as
if the frequency of the GPR antenna during recording of this profile was
several times higher. The resolution of signals on this GPR profile is
also several times higher. If necessary, it is possible, and vice versa,
to lower the central frequency of the radarogram signals
✓
Method for decomposing a radarogram into
components. This is not a wavelet decomposition of signals, although it
is also implemented in the GEORADAR-EXPERT. This method converts a
signals matrix of GPR profile into a set of matrices. Each matrix from
this set contains only one unique type of reflected waves. The user
discards the matrices with those types of waves, which he defined as
interference, and then summarizes the remaining matrices. Thus,
interference are excluded from the GPR profile signals. Using the same
method, it is possible to remove diffracted reflections, including air
ones, leaving behind only the boundaries of the layers on the
radarogram. This is useful, for example, for road research. Or vice
versa, you can remove all the boundaries of the layers, leaving only
diffracted reflections. For example, to better detect reinforcement in a
concrete structure.
✓
Statistical analysis module. This module is
intended to summarize the results of GPR profiling and to better
presentation the variability of the electrophysical characteristics of
the GPR profile. Using the results of statistical analysis, presented
in the form of tables and graphs, it is possible to establish a
relationship between the physicomechanical characteristics of the
investigated subsurface environment (for example, soil or building
structures) and various statistical indicators. Thus, a feature set is
created that can be used in the future to assess the state of similar
objects. Statistical data sources are GPR profiles, attribute sections,
which are calculated based on the results of BSEF automated analysis,
and slices of the 3D assembly. If the user has drawn the boundaries of
the layers on the GPR profile, on the attribute section or on the 3D
assembly slice, the statistical indicators are calculated inside each
layer, along the boundary of each layer and for the whole object,
without regard to separation into layers. Using the statistical analysis
module implemented by GEORADAR-EXPERT raises the quality of GPR
research results to a new, higher level.
✓
Cluster analysis. Cluster analysis of
attributes is used to rapid assessment the structure of the subsurface
environment in a given approximation. The degree of approximation is
determined by the number of clusters. The result of cluster analysis is a
section of the attribute in the form of a combination of blocks of
various shapes (clusters). Within a cluster, attribute values are the
same. Through clusters, the section is divided into characteristic
areas, each of which has its own features.
✓
Flaw detection module of building
structures. Flaw detection of concrete and reinforced concrete building
structures is based on the identification of zones on the section with
abnormal deviations of the values of the Q-factor attribute. Flaw
detection results are saved in the form of a section of the attribute on
which the defective zones are highlighted, and a defective list, in
which for each GPR profile a quantitative and qualitative assessment of
the state of the object is given, during the study of which one or
another profile is obtained.