Research on looseness diseases of pavement base course based on three-dimensional ground penetrating radar

Authors

• Fu An, School of Transportation , Changsha University of Science & Technology , Changsha , Hunan 410114 , ChinaFollow
• Li Di, School of Transportation , Changsha University of Science & Technology , Changsha , Hunan 410114 , ChinaFollow
• Liu Weizhen, School of Transportation , Changsha University of Science & Technology , Changsha , Hunan 410114 , China
• Yang Li, School of Transportation , Changsha University of Science & Technology , Changsha , Hunan 410114 , China

Corresponding Author

李荻，女，博士，讲师.E-mail：[email protected]

Abstract

Three-dimensional ground penetrating radar (3D GPR ) has important application value in the detection of looseness diseases in road base course due to its advantages of high efficiency and non-destructive testing. However, the existing methods mainly rely on two-dimensional profile analysis, which is difficult to accurately identify the spatial distribution of diseases, and the interpretation of radar data is subject to multiplicity, which affects the detection accuracy and engineering application. Based on the GprMax and Matlab platforms, this paper used the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD ) method to carry out forward modeling, and combined the laboratory experiments and the measured data of the Rizhao‒Lankao Expressway project to extract the disease signal characteristics from three dimensions:time domain, frequency domain, and time-frequency domain, so as to optimize the disease interpretation method. The results show the following:① The time-domain characteristic values of looseness diseases decrease with the increase of disease degree. In the frequency domain, the mean, standard deviation, and root mean square decrease, while the skewness increases. The signal energy of the high-frequency band (1.3‒1.8 GHz ) increases, and the frequency distribution range expands;② The radar profile shows that the event disorder and highlight anomaly are enhanced in the looseness disease area, and the signal energy increases with the increase of disease degree, which is consistent with the analysis results of time-frequency characteristics;③ The results of laboratory experiments and engineering measurements are highly consistent with the forward modeling results, which verifies the reliability of the forward modeling method. The research results can provide technical support for the accurate identification and interpretation of diseases in road base course, and improve the application value of ground penetrating radar in the disease detection and maintenance management in road engineering.

Publication Date

10-29-2026

DOI

10.14048/j.issn.1671-2579.2026.05.011

First Page

103

Last Page

113

Submission Date

October 2026

Recommended Citation

An, Fu; Di, Li; Weizhen, Liu; and Li, Yang (2026) "Research on looseness diseases of pavement base course based on three-dimensional ground penetrating radar," Journal of China & Foreign Highway: Vol. 46: Iss. 5, Article 11.
DOI: 10.14048/j.issn.1671-2579.2026.05.011
Available at: https://zwgl1980.csust.edu.cn/journal/vol46/iss5/11

Reference

[1]朱沛成.探地雷达属性分析技术及其在隧道地质预报中的应用研究 [D].南宁:广西大学,2016.Zhu Peicheng.Research on ground penetrating radar attribute analysis technology and its application in tunnel geological prediction [D].Nanning:Guangxi University,2016.

[2]Daniels E J.Ground penetrating radar [M].London:Institution of Electrical Engineers,2004.

[3]周磊,尹龙,吴冬生,等.基于三维探地雷达的路段级结构性裂缝分级评价方法研究 [J].中外公路，2025,45（5）：93-101.Zhou Lei,Yin Long,Wu Dongsheng,et al.Grading evaluation method for road section-level structural cracks based on 3D ground-penetrating radar [J].Journal of China & Foreign Highway,2025，45(5):93-101.

[4]李晓华,宋亮,叶伟,等.基于三维探地雷达的沥青路面内部病害分布特征与养护决策研究 [J].中外公路，2025,45（3）：221-231.Li Xiaohua,Song Liang,Ye Wei,et al.Distribution characteristics of internal distress and maintenance decision-making for asphalt pavement based on three-dimensional ground-penetrating radar [J].Journal of China & Foreign Highway,2025，45(3):221-231.

[5]Jol H M.Ground penetrating radar theory and applications[M].Amsterdam:Elsevier,2009.

[6]Smitha N,Singh V.Target detection using supervised machine learning algorithms for GPR data [J].Sensing and Imaging,2020,21:11.

[7]Dwork N,O’Connor D,Johnson E M I,et al.Optimization in the space domain for density compensation with the nonuniform FFT [J].Magnetic Resonance Imaging,2023,100:102-111.

[8]许德根,杨天春,张启,等.基于 FDTD的探地雷达道路检测正演模拟 [J].公路与汽运,2015,31(6):112-114.Xu Degen,Yang Tianchun,Zhang Qi,et al.Forward simulation of road detection by ground penetrating radar based on FDTD [J].Highways & Automotive Applications,2015,31(6):112-114.

[9]李霄凯,童正洪.高速铁路隧道地质雷达法检测技术 [J].铁道标准设计,2012,56(2):88-91,106.Li Xiaokai,Tong Zhenghong.Detection techniques with geological radar for tunnels in high speed railway [J].Railway Standard Design,2012,56(2):88-91,106.

[10]Li L,Northwest A A U,Wang B Y,et al.Pavement defect detection based on ground penetrating radar and deep active learning [J].Journal of Infrastructure Systems,2025,31(3):04025016.

[11]Warren C,Giannopoulos A,Giannakis I.GprMax:Open source software to simulate electromagnetic wave propagation for ground penetrating radar [J].Computer Physics Communications,2016,209:163-170.

[12]刘俊权.双组份道路快速修补材料性能研究 [J].新型建筑材料,2019,46(11):119-121,139.Liu Junquan.Study on the properties of two-component rapid repairing material for road [J].New Building Materials,2019,46(11):119-121,139.

[13]Von Hippel A R.Dielectrics and waves [M].New York:J.Wiley,1954.

[14]谢处方,饶克谨.电磁场与电磁波 [M].4版.北京:高等教育出版社,2006.Xie Chufang,Rao Kejin.Field and wave electromagnetics[M].4th ed.Beijing:Higher Education Press,2006.

[15]刘澜波,钱荣毅.探地雷达:浅表地球物理科学技术中的重要工具 [J].地球物理学报,2015,58(8):2606 -2617.Liu Lanbo,Qian Rongyi.Ground penetrating radar:A critical tool in near-surface geophysics [J].Chinese Journal of Geophysics,2015,58(8):2606 -2617.

[16]Annan A P.Ground penetrating radar:Principles,procedures & applications [M].Mississauga:Sensors & Software Inc,2003.

[17]门光誉,陈维斌,徐腾飞,等.路面结构病害三维探地雷达图谱特征研究 [J].辽宁工程技术大学学报 (自然科学版),2025 (2):129-137.Men Guangyu,Chen Weibin,Xu Tengfei,et al.Three-dimensional ground penetrating radar images features of pavement structure defects [J].Journal of Liaoning Technical University (Natural Science ),2025 (2):129-137.

[18]Taflove A,Hagness S C.Computational electrodynamics[M].3rd ed.Boston:Artech House,2005:156-198.

[19]Berenger J P.A perfectly matched layer for the absorption of electromagnetic waves [J].Journal of Computational Physics,1994,114(2):185-200.

[20]Yee K E.Numerical solution of initial boundary value problems involving Maxwell ’s equations in isotropic media [J].IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation,1966,14(3):302-307.

[21]Kunz K S,Luebbers R J.The finite difference time domain method for electromagnetics [M].Boca Raton:CRC Press,2018.

[22]孙怀凤,程铭,吴启龙,等.瞬变电磁三维 FDTD正演多分辨网格方法 [J].地球物理学报,2018,61(12):5096 -5104.Sun Huaifeng,Cheng Ming,Wu Qilong,et al.A multi-scale grid scheme in three-dimensional transient electromagnetic modeling using FDTD [J].Chinese Journal of Geophysics,2018,61(12):5096 -5104.

[23]Warren C,Giannopoulos A.Creating finite-difference time-domain models of commercial ground-penetrating radar antennas using Taguchi ’s optimization method [J].Geophysics,2011,76(2):G37-G47.

[24]武贤龙,包小华,陈湘生,等.基于 gprMax的衬砌脱空三维正演分析 [J].深圳大学学报 (理工版 ),2023,40(2):127-135.Wu Xianlong,Bao Xiaohua,Chen Xiangsheng,et al.3D forward modeling analysis of lining void detection based on gprMax [J].Journal of Shenzhen University (Science and Engineering ),2023,40(2):127-135.

[25]王大为,吕浩天,汤伏蛟,等.三维探地雷达道路隐性病害检测分析与数字化技术综述 [J].中国公路学报,2023,36(3):1-19.Wang Dawei,Lyu Haotian,Tang Fujiao,et al.Road structural defects detection and digitalization based on 3D ground penetrating radar technology:A state-of-the-art review [J].China Journal of Highway and Transport,2023,36(3):1-19.

[26]杨洁,王云龙,张雪,等.基于正演模拟的地下典型目标体探地雷达图像特征分析与评价 [J].科学技术与工程,2023,23(20):8540 -8551.Yang Jie,Wang Yunlong,Zhang Xue,et al.Ground penetrating radar for typical underground target based on forward modeling image feature analysis and evaluation[J].Science Technology and Engineering,2023,23(20):8540 -8551.

[27]李海丰,雒宇飞,王怀超,等.机场道面地下管线三维定位算法 [J].郑州大学学报 (理学版 ),2023,55(2):57-62.Li Haifeng,Luo Yufei,Wang Huaichao,et al.Three-dimensional positioning algorithm for underground pipelines on airport pavement [J].Journal of Zhengzhou University (Natural Science Edition ),2023,55(2):57-62.

[28]范剑伟.基于无损检测技术的沥青路面裂缝及结构状态检测评价方法研究 [D].南京:东南大学,2022.Fan Jianwei.Research on detection and evaluation method of asphalt pavement crack and structure state based on nondestructive testing technology [D].Nanjing:Southeast University,2022.

[29]胡广书.数字信号处理:理论、算法与实现 [M].3版.北京:清华大学出版社,2012.Hu Guangshu.Digital signal processing:Theory,algorithm and implementation [M].3rd ed.Beijing:Tsinghua University Press,2012.

[30]刘震.基于探地雷达与弯沉检测的道路结构状况精细化评价方法研究 [D].南京:东南大学,2023.Liu Zhen.Research on refined evaluation method of road structural condition based on GPR and deflection detection[D].Nanjing:Southeast University,2023.

[31]Saarenketo T,Scullion T.Road evaluation with ground penetrating radar [J].Journal of Applied Geophysics,2000,43(2/3/4):119-138.

[32]唐辉,朱海奇,周卓辉,等.傅里叶变换微波光谱仪的信号采集与数据处理研究 [J].分析化学,2018,46(5):723-728.Tang Hui,Zhu Haiqi,Zhou Zhuohui,et al.Investigation on signal acquisition and data processing of a Fourier transform microwave spectrometer [J].Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry,2018,46(5):723-728.

[33]Benedetto A,Benedetto F.GPR experimental evaluation of subgrade soil characteristics for rehabilitation of roads[J].Ninth International Conference on Ground Penetrating Radar,2002,4758:708-714.