Detection of Soil Pipes Using Ground Penetrating Radar

Abstract

Soil piping leads to land degradation in almost all morphoclimatic regions. However, the detection of soil pipes is still a methodological challenge. Therefore, this study aims at testing ground penetrating radar (GPR) to identify soil pipes and to present the complexity of soil pipe networks. The GPR surveys were conducted at three sites in the Bieszczady Mountains (SE Poland), where pipes develop in Cambisols. In total, 36 GPR profiles longitudinal and transverse to piping systems were made and used to provide spatial visualization of pipe networks. Soil pipes were identified as reflection hyperbolas on radargrams, which were verified with the surface indicators of piping, i.e., sagging of the ground and the occurrence of pipe roof collapses. Antennas of 500 MHz and 800 MHz were tested, which made possible the penetration of the subsurface up to 3.2 m and 2 m, respectively. Concerning ground properties, antenna frequencies and processing techniques, there was a potential possibility to detect pipes with a minimum diameter of 3.5 cm (using the antenna of lower frequency), and 2.2 cm (with the antenna of higher frequency). The results have proved that soil pipes meander horizontally and vertically and their networks become more complicated and extensive down the slope. GPR is a useful method to detect soil pipes, although it requires field verification and the proper selection of antenna frequency.

Detection of soil pipe network by geophysical approach: Electromagnetic induction (EMI) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT)

“…The integration of different geophysical methods gives a great opportunity for cross‐checking acquired data and reducing interpretation ambiguities (Cardarelli et al, 2014; Schrott & Sass, 2008). In order to compare subsurface data obtained from geophysical methods with the surface response (i.e., depressions and collapses), the field mapping of piping forms was done (Bernatek‐Jakiel & Kondracka, 2019), and high‐resolution DEM and orthophotos have been produced. The UAV flights were carried out using a DJI Phantom‐4 quadcopter with a 1′ camera.…”

“…The Cisowiec catchment has been already described as a piping‐prone area, and details are provided by Bernatek‐Jakiel and Kondracka (2019). In the catchment, 86 piping forms were mapped, including closed (sagging) depressions, sinkholes, and blind gullies (Figure 1b).…”

“…So far, various different geophysical methods have been explored in soil pipes detection, among which ground penetrating‐radar (GPR) (Bernatek‐Jakiel & Kondracka, 2016, 2019; Botschek et al, 2000; Got et al, 2014; Holden, 2004, 2006; Holden et al, 2002; Wodajo et al, 2021) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) (Ahmed & Carpenter, 2003; Bernatek‐Jakiel & Kondracka, 2016; Bovi et al, 2020; Cardarelli et al, 2014; Giampaolo et al, 2016; Joshi et al, 2021; Leslie & Heinse, 2013; Patti et al, 2021) have received the most attention. These methods were tested to detect and visualize soil pipe networks, as well as to recognize the factors controlling piping erosion.…”

Effects of pipe outlet blocking on hydrological functioning in a degraded blanket peatland

“…Further work is required to test upslope pipe blocking impacts, away from outlets, to establish if this has greater impacts than the blocking of outlet locations alone. However, more precise mapping of pipe networks will be required, potentially using more recent advances in ground penetrating radar detection so that peat pipes <10 cm in diameter can be mapped (Bernatek‐Jakiel & Kondracka, 2019; Holden et al, 2002).…”

Condition Classification of Water-Filled Underground Siphon Using Acoustic Sensors

“…The results demonstrate that the proposed acoustic-based approach can effectively classify the blockage and damage conditions of siphons, and the recognition accuracy of the proposed method is higher than 94.4%. Therefore, this research has value for engineering applications.Recently, a series of methods have been developed for blockage or leakage detection in pipes, such as piezoelectric ultrasonic sensors technology [5], eddy current probes [6], closed-circuit television (CCTV) [7], sewer scanner evaluation technology (SSET) [8], and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) [9,10]. Piezoelectric ultrasonic sensors can detect minimal defects, and they have the advantages of being portable, non-polluting, and highly accurate for pipeline damage detection.…”