Evaluation of the GPR in the bathymetry estimate of a decanting water treatment plant using the free software “GPR Bathymetry” in the radargrams analysis

This paper aims to evaluate the performance of the GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) for bathymetric applications in a controlled environment, as well as evaluate the “GPR Bathymetry” software designed to bathymetric radargrams analysis. The study was realized in a decanting water treatment plant (WTP), where has the as-built obtained with total station, it will be used in validation tests. Was realized three comparison tests: from points comparisons; from Digital Elevation Models (DEM) generated from interpolating Top to Raster; and between volumes calculated from DEMs. In the point comparison, the greatest difference between averages was 8 cm. For the discrepancies sample between DEMs, the amplitude was 9 cm, average of 2 cm, estimate accuracy of 4 cm and RMS equal to 3 cm. In the volumetric comparison, we obtained the amount of 800.6 m³ with reference data and 806.4 m³ with the GPR data, resulting in a 1% difference between models. We conclude that for a reservoir built in reinforced concrete, depths ranging from 3 to 3.5 meters, the survey of the bottom relief employing a GPR showed promising results and a DEM with an estimate accuracy of 4 cm and discrepancies that may reach 9 cm

Keywords:
GPR; DEM; bathymetry; experiment; free software.