Inversion, Modelling and Analysis of GPR in Near-surface Environments (IMAGINE) version 2

探地雷达（GPR）是目前最流行的地面调查技术之一，可以说是所有地球物理方法中应用范围最广的一种。它已应用于地雷探测、建筑结构和材料的定位和评价、污染物测绘以及一般的冰川、地质、考古、法医和环境应用。该技术具有无与伦比的高分辨率浅层次表层“成像”能力，是许多岩土工程师的首选工具，也是近地表问题的主要调查方法。不幸的是，探地雷达数据的评估、解释和分析是一件偶然的事情，特别是在复杂的环境中，甚至在进行最基本的解释之前，往往需要先进的处理、成像和/或可视化技术。许多这些方法增加了不必要的偏差或误差到数据中，迫切需要新的数据分析方法，稳健，准确和高效。数值模拟（模拟探地雷达波在地面上的传播）和反演（试图从记录的探地雷达信号中自动确定埋地目标的形状、位置和属性）都已成功地应用于实际和实验的近地表探地雷达数据。该项目将尝试将这两种方法整合到一个单一的研究方案中，该方案将为探地雷达数据解释问题开发新的创新解决方案，同时为用户提供更传统的分析技术之外的强大而复杂的替代方案。这项工作将集中于地雷探测/识别、服务测绘（特别是泄漏的非金属燃料、水和污水管道）以及埋藏建筑物基础和类似结构的识别、定位和特征等关键应用领域。这项工作将利用从现实世界中收集的数据，目的是产生一种实用、高效和全面测试的分析和解释技术。从经济和社会角度来看，提高我们评估和描述地下资源的能力显然有好处。例如，据估计，每年仅因管道漏水而造成的饮用水损失就超过1000万英镑。增强的调查技术可以大大降低这种成本。最终，该项目代表了地质探地雷达研究的一个新的、令人兴奋的发展，其潜在的好处远远超出了工程界的范围，进入了考古学、生物技术科学和法医学等不同领域。

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is one of the most popular ground investigation techniques with, arguably, the widest application range of all the geophysical methods. It has been applied to landmine detection, the location and evaluation of building structures and materials, contaminant mapping plus general glacial, geological, archaeological, forensic and environmental applications. With an unrivalled ability to 'image' the shallow sub-surface at high-resolutions, the technique is the tool of choice for many geotechnical engineers and is the principle investigation method for near-surface problems. Unfortunately, the evaluation, interpretation and analysis of GPR data is a hit-and-miss affair, particularly in complex environments and advanced processing, imaging and/or visualisation techniques are often required before even the most basic interpretations are made. Many of these methods add unwanted bias or error into the data and there is a pressing need for new data analysis methods that are robust, accurate and efficient. Numerical Modelling (which simulates the propagation of the GPR waves in the ground) and Inversion (which attempts to automatically determine the shape, location and properties of a buried target from the recorded GPR signals) have both been successfully applied to real and experimental near-surface GPR data over a range problem senorios. This project will attempt to integrate these two methodologies into a single programme of research that will develop, new innovative solutions to the problem of GPR data interpretation whilst providing users with a robust, sophisticated alternative to more conventional analysis techniques. The work will focus on the key application areas of landmine detection/discrimination, services mapping (particularly leaking non-metallic fuel, water and sewage pipes) and the identification, location and characterisation of buried building foundations and similar structures. The work will utilise data collected from real-world situations with the goal of producing an analysis and interpretation technique that is practical, efficient and comprehensively tested. There are clear benefits to improving our ability to evaluate and characterise the subsurface, both economically and socially. For example, it is estimated that the cost associated with drinking water loss from leaky pipes alone is in the order over ten million pounds a year. Enhanced investigation techniques can go a long to reducing this cost. Ultimately, the project represents a new and exciting development in geotechnical GPR research with potential benefits that reach far beyond the confines of the engineering community into fields as diverse as archaeology, biotechnical sciences and forensics.