Advances in ground penetrating radar imaging with multi-channel systems have greatly improved the speed and areal coverage of the ground. Along with improved imaging software, datasets recorded with multi-channel systems can be processed at similar speeds to coarsely spaced single channel data that would normally require additional time for interpolation processes to fill in the gaps between lines. with the crossline spacing approaching a 1/4 wavelength or less of the transmitted microwaves into the ground, multi-channel systems have the advantage of complete coverage of a site with no need for interpolation in most cases except to fill in the gaps between adjacent tracks if so desired. Multi-channel systems do require additional RSP (radagram signal processes) in order to balance the channels and to condition the data prior to imaging. Spectral whitening and several other RSP methods are shown with their application to imaging of sites from bridgedecks for deterioration to the discovery of subsurface archaeological remains. Data processed from several different multi-channel GPR systems are shown.

Advances in GPR Imaging with Multi-Channel Radar Systems from Engineering to Archaeological Sites

Case Histories

Deep-Level Gold and Platinum Mining: The Application of Geophysics in South Africa

Overview of Key Geophysical Technologies

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is an established technology with a wide range of applications for civil engineering, geological research, archaeological studies, and hydrological practices. In this regard, this study applies bibliometric and scientometric assessment to provide a systematic review of the literature on GPR-related research. This study reports the publication trends, sources of publications and subject categories, cooperation of countries, productivity of authors, citations of publications, and clusters of keywords in GPR-related research. The Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) and the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), which can be accessed through the Web of Science Core Collection, are used as references. The findings report that the number of publications is 6880 between 2001 and 2021. The number of annual publications has increased significantly, from 139 in 2001 to 576 in 2021. The studies are published in 894 journals, and the annual number of active journals increased from 68 in 2001 to 215 in 2021. Throughout the study, the number of subject categories involved in GPR-related research fluctuated, ranging from 38 in 2001 to 68 in 2021. The research studies originated from 118 countries on 6 continents, where the United States and the People’s Republic of China led the research articles. The top five most common keywords are ground-penetrating radar, non-destructive testing, geophysics, electrical resistivity tomography, and radar. After investigating the clusters of keywords, it is determined that civil engineering, geological research, archaeological studies, and hydrological practices are the four main research fields incorporating GPR utilization. This study offers academics and practitioners an in-depth review of the latest research in GPR research as well as a multidisciplinary reference for future studies.

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A Critical Review and Bibliometric Analysis on Applications of Ground Penetrating Radar in Science Based on Web of Science Database

Some of the recent advances in ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology are discussed in this paper; in particular the move to, and potential value addition offered by, the 3D approach to surveying over the more conventional 2D approach. Case studies at two platinum mines in the Bushveld Complex are used to stress the fact that the niche role for GPR is that of immediate hangingwall assessment, aimed at identifying geological features that could potentially result in falls of ground (FOGs). The paper also highlights the obstacles that still need to be overcome to enable GPR to become a routine tool in local mining operations, and recommendations are offered on how to address these obstacles through ongoing research efforts.

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Z. Nontso

Papers

The use of 3D ground penetrating radar to mitigate the risk associated with falls of ground in Bushveld Complex platinum mines