Integration of Ground-Penetrating Radar and Electrical Resistivity Tomography for Subsurface Imaging

Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This thesis presents a comprehensive study on the integration of Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) techniques for subsurface imaging. The research aims to explore the combined use of these geophysical methods to enhance the understanding of subsurface structures and properties. The integration of GPR and ERT offers a synergistic approach that can provide complementary information about the subsurface, leading to more accurate and detailed imaging results. The study begins with a detailed introduction outlining the background of the research, highlighting the importance of subsurface imaging in various geophysical applications. The problem statement underscores the limitations of individual geophysical methods in providing a complete subsurface picture, thus necessitating the integration of GPR and ERT for improved imaging capabilities. The objectives of the study are clearly defined to address the research gaps and explore the potential benefits of combining these techniques. The methodology section presents a systematic approach to integrating GPR and ERT data, including data acquisition, processing, and interpretation. Various data fusion techniques are employed to combine the strengths of GPR and ERT, ensuring a comprehensive analysis of the subsurface features. The research methodology also includes field experiments conducted in diverse geological settings to validate the effectiveness of the integrated approach. The literature review section explores existing studies on GPR and ERT applications, highlighting their individual strengths and limitations. The review covers various case studies where the integration of GPR and ERT has been successfully applied for subsurface imaging, providing valuable insights into the potential advantages of combining these techniques. Key considerations such as data integration, resolution enhancement, and interpretation challenges are discussed in detail. The discussion of findings chapter presents the results of the field experiments and data analysis conducted during the research. The integrated GPR-ERT datasets reveal detailed subsurface structures, including geological interfaces, buried objects, and hydrogeological features. The discussion focuses on the synergies between GPR and ERT data, highlighting the improved imaging capabilities and the added value of integrating these techniques. In conclusion, the study demonstrates the efficacy of integrating GPR and ERT for subsurface imaging, showcasing the enhanced capabilities of the combined approach. The research findings support the significance of using complementary geophysical methods to achieve more accurate and detailed subsurface characterization. The thesis contributes to advancing the field of geophysics by highlighting the benefits of integrating multiple techniques for subsurface imaging applications. Keywords Ground-Penetrating Radar, Electrical Resistivity Tomography, Subsurface Imaging, Geophysics, Data Fusion, Field Experiments, Data Interpretation, Geophysical Applications.