Synthetic 2D GPR constant-offset radargrams: Modelling of responses of air-filled cavities with various shapes

The present study describes results from synthetic modelling of 2D GPR constant-offset radargrams (B-scans) for air-filled cavities with different shapes. The primary objective of these simulations was to enhance the understanding of actual GPR data when subsurface cavities are present. Three different numerical methods are used, based on the Finite-Difference Time Domain approach. During processing of received synthetic radargrams, migration plays a crucial role. When designing the final depth-sections, it proved to be extremely important the application of the so-called Combined Time–Depth Conversion transformation method. Final results showed with good precision the geometry and depth extent of studied cavities in the absolute majority of the calculated models. The verified processing steps sequence was also successfully applied to a real-world dataset from GPR survey data from St. Catherine's church in Banská Štiavnica.