In geophysics, the radar method (Radio detection and ranging) is very comparable to the reflection seismic method for surface exploration and to full wave form acoustic logging for well imaging.
The method is applied in the Mega-Hertz frequency range, to the field of geophysical exploration, but wave attenuation in the ground, greatly superior to that observed in the atmosphere mostly favors the development of the subsurface radar for geotechnical studies or civil engineering: road or airport surfacing studies, monitoring of tunnels or masonry control for construction work (cavity, metallic pipe detection, archeology prospecting, ...)
Improvements in electronic technology and computer signal processing has led to the development of well radar for exploration drilling, providing images of the rock formations drilled up to distances of several tens to hundreds meters from the borehole.
In this section, we show examples of the use of geophysical radar or GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) in the field of geotechnical studies:
