A spectral analysis of ground-penetrating radar data for the assessment of the railway ballast geometric properties

Ciampoli, Luca Bianchini, Tosti, Fabio, Brancadoro, Maria Giulia, D'Amico, Fabrizio, Alani, Amir M. and Benedetto, Andrea (2017) A spectral analysis of ground-penetrating radar data for the assessment of the railway ballast geometric properties. NDT & E International, 90, pp. 39-47. ISSN (print) 0963-8695

Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ndteint.2017.05.005

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for the assessment of railway ballast using ground-penetrating radar (GPR ? 2 GHz horn antenna). The primary approach in this endeavour was the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations of ballast (a multi-stage process in terms of ballast size). To this effect, a combination of random-sequential adsorption (RSA) and FDTD algorithms were applied. The results of the numerical simulation then were used to compare with the experimental investigations results using a container (methacrylate material) of the 1.5?1.5?0.5m dimensions. Finally, the modelling of the frequency spectrum peak and the equivalent diameter of the ballast aggregates was developed.

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