Benefits and Potential Applications of 3D Borehole Radar

The direction sensitive 3D borehole radar system provides a three dimensional capture of complex subsurface structures. By default, ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys out of boreholes are undirected and therefore require additional information for spatial interpretation. In contrast, with the 3D borehole radar a reliable spatial model can be gained from a single drill hole.

The DMT GmbH & Co. KG (DMT) has developed two radar systems for different tasks. Since 2002 over 60 vertical deep drillings have been investigated. The engineering radar system is suitable for any engineering applications in horizontal, vertical or inclined boreholes.

The operation in low conductive, non-magnetic media is essential for the success of a radar measurement. A high penetration depth of several hundreds of meters up to kilometers can be reached in dry rock salt. Under good conditions also limestone, crystalline solid rocks and dry sands are suitable for investigations with the method.

This measuring system is successfully implemented for geological surveys, for the preliminary reconnaissance of tunnels and mine buildings, the investigation of underground buildings and the detection of voids in karst areas. The directional borehole radar system itself will be introduced. Applications of the method in rock salt and in limestone are shown.