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Analysis of microwave tomography on GPR data under controlled conditions: applications in archaeology and forensic studies

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Author(s):
Emerson Rodrigo Almeida
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Doctoral Thesis
Press: São Paulo.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto Astronômico e Geofísico (IAG/SBD)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
Jorge Luis Porsani; Paulo Antonio Dantas de Blasis; João Carlos Dourado; Renato Luiz Prado; Marcos Welby Correa Silva
Advisor: Jorge Luis Porsani; Francesco Soldovieri
Abstract

In this research a methodology for analysis and interpretation of GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) data using microwave tomography was developed. This tool was used for detection and geometry evaluation of targets which simulate artifacts usually found at Brazilian archaeological sites and also of one organic target which simulates a decomposing human body for forensic studies under controlled conditions. The data of archaeological interest were acquired on the Geophysical Test Site (SCGR) at IAG/USP. The data of forensic interest were acquired on an experiment developed at the USP campus in Pirassununga (SP) city. In this experiment a pig with about 80 kg was buried and its decomposition was monitored through GPR profiles during 18 months. The calculations required for the GPR data inversion through microwave tomography were implemented in Matlab language, with background removal tools which were helpful for the interpretation of resulting images. The tomographic imaging program was validated using synthetic data generated by the software GprMax. The models simulate targets of archaeological interest buried at the SCGR. The geometry was well estimated for all the targets, except for the brick wall. Ground features associated to excavations done for the installation of the targets were clearly observed in the tomographic images. The pig geometry and its decomposition process were mapped through microwave tomography even under conditions of low contrast between its electric properties and those from the soil. In both studied cases the tomographic images from GPR data of 270 MHz, 400 MHz and 900 MHz allowed to extract more information about the targets than just using the conventional processing. The results show that microwave tomography has a great potential to be applied at Brazilian archaeological sites, as well as for forensic applications. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 11/21013-8 - Detection and geometric reconstruction of underground targets and strategies for obtaining the physical properties of the medium using GPR data inversion: Application to forensic and archeological studies
Grantee:Emerson Rodrigo Almeida
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate