Monitoring underground water leakage pattern by ground penetrating radar (GPR) using 800 MHz antenna frequency

Water loss in town and suburban is currently a significant issue which reflect the performance of water supply management in Malaysia. Consequently, water supply distribution system has to be maintained in order to prevent shortage of water supply in an area. Various techniques for detecting a mains water leaks are available but mostly are time-consuming, disruptive and expensive. In this paper, the potential of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) as a non-destructive method to correctly and efficiently detect mains water leaks has been examined. Several experiments were designed and conducted to prove that GPR can be used as tool for water leakage detection. These include instrument validation test and soil compaction test to clarify the maximum dry density (MDD) of soil and simulation studies on water leakage at a test bed consisting of PVC pipe burying in sand to a depth of 40 cm. Data from GPR detection are processed using the Reflex 2D software. Identification of water leakage was visually inspected from the anomalies in the radargram based on GPR reflection coefficients. The results have ascertained the capability and effectiveness of the GPR in detecting water leakage which could help avoiding difficulties with other leak detection methods.

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3D model evolution of a leak based on GPR image interpretation

Water Science & Technology Water Supply ◽

10.2166/ws.2015.093 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (6) ◽

pp. 1312-1319 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Silvia J. Ocaña-Levario ◽

David Ayala-Cabrera ◽

Joaquín Izquierdo ◽

Rafael Pérez-García

Keyword(s):

Image Interpretation ◽

3D Models ◽

Underground Water ◽

Water Supply Systems ◽

Water Leakage ◽

Water Leak ◽

Water Volumes ◽

Ground Penetrating ◽

Supply Systems ◽

Non Destructive

This paper presents some aspects of the time propagation of underground water leakage in controlled laboratory conditions using a drilled polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe and interpreting ground penetrating radar (GPR) images. GPR pre-processed images are interpreted for easy identification and extraction of surfaces and volumes of water leakage. Finally, the temporal evolution of a water leak is shown using 3D models based on interpretation of GPR images. Water volumes obtained using this approach can be easily observed by personnel who lack highly specialized training in the analysis of raw data. The results of this study are promising and can help develop techniques to validate non-destructive models for the identification, distribution, and prediction of water leaks in water supply systems using GPR.

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The Probe Technology and Counter Measures of Goaf of Colliery Area in Tongluoshan Tunnel

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.204-208.1419 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 204-208 ◽

pp. 1419-1422

Author(s):

Xin Bin Zhang

Keyword(s):

Ground Penetrating Radar ◽

Wall Rock ◽

Underground Water ◽

Construction Safety ◽

Light Rail ◽

Counter Measures ◽

Rail Line ◽

Geological Prediction ◽

Ground Penetrating

During the construction of Tongluoshan Tunnel of the 6th light rail line in Chongqing, collapse of goaf of colliery area occurred which affects the construction and permanent safety heavily. Advanced geological prediction were done with ground penetrating radar to probe the goaf’s location, scale and characters of underground water and filling articles, then countermeasures such as advanced pipe roof supporting, goaf stowing, wall rock and filling articles’ voids grouting was applied；after that，supporting plan was adjusted to ensure construction safety with the data from monitoring whose result proves the availability of above prediction technology and countermeasures to similar goaf.

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