Application of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) method for the characterization of soil near Tiaret (North West of Algeria).

Abstract

The Tiaret-Saida is a new high-speed railway under construction in northwestern Algeria. The main objective of this study is to map the shallow subsurface geological features and soil characterization. A geophysical tool comprising ground penetrating radar (GPR) ha sbeen applied for identifying the possible presence of cavities and fractures in the subsoil. GPR measurements were taken from a total of 24 profiles. The total length of the profiles was 240 m. The results of the GPR profiles obtained by two central frequencies 200 and 400 MHz indicate the existence of several anomalies that can be attributed to cavities and fractures in the bottom of several excavations, at depth ranging from 1 to 2.2 m. The interpreted results of GPR data were calibrated with the available lithological data from five boreholes drilled.