Numerical Simulation Study on the Impact of Blind Zones in Ground Penetrating Radar

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is an effective geophysical method for rapid and non-destructive detection. Directional borehole radar is the application of GPR in a borehole, which can determine the depth, orientation, and distance of the target from the borehole. The borehole radar azimuth recognition algorithm is based on the assumption of far-field plane waves. Therefore, in the near-field area where the target is closer to the borehole, the electromagnetic waves reflected by the target cannot be regarded as plane waves but will have a certain curvature. The plane wave assumption is not valid in this area, so the azimuth recognition algorithm will have significant errors, forming blind zones for directional borehole radar detection. This article uses the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm to numerically simulate how blind zones affect directional borehole radar systems, identify the impact patterns, and minimize them. After calculation and numerical simulation verification, it has been found that when the center frequency of the antenna is 1 GHz, within 2 m of the target from the borehole, there is a significant error in azimuth recognition, which can be defined as the near-field region. Similarly, through numerical simulation verification, the optimal antenna center frequency is between 600 MHz and 1100 MHz. Oil-based mud is superior to water-based mud. The optimal antenna center frequency decreases as the target distance increases.