The potential of ground penetrating radar in rock fracture detection: insights from physical model tests and numerical simulations

作者：Zhishu Song, Jun Zheng, Ruichen Zhang, Anlong Zhu, Tingquan He, Jiongchao Wang · 发表于：Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.jrmge.2025.04.036 · 被引用次数：2 · 研究领域：Geophysical Methods and Applications、Seismic Waves and Analysis、Rock Mechanics and Modeling

The characterization of rock mass structural features serves as the fundamental basis for slope stability analysis. However, the inaccessibility of internal fracture networks within rock masses renders the three-dimensional characterization of fracture distribution a significant technical challenge. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) has demonstrated considerable potential in geological investigations owing to its non-invasive detection capabilities and operational efficiency. Nevertheless, the inherent complex spatial configurations of rock fractures continue to pose substantial difficulties in GPR-based fracture detection. This study employs an integrated methodology combining FDTD simulation, physical modeling, and theoretical analysis to investigate fracture characterization. Through systematic modeling of diverse fracture pair configurations, we comprehensively analyze their GPR signature characteristics and develop corresponding inversion methodologies. Results demonstrate: (ⅰ) The simulation results for both parallel and cross-cutting fractures exhibit consistency with the experimental GPR data, validating the effective predictability of GPRMax in modeling electromagnetic(EM) response for fracture pairs in rock masses; (ⅱ) Horizontal parallel fractures generate dual bowl-shaped hyperbolas with spacing-dependent resolvable lengths, while vertical parallel fractures display vertically elongated hyperbolas quantifiable via Fresnel Zone diameter analysis; (ⅲ) Orthogonal fractu...