Review of ground penetrating radar detection technology for attribute characteristics of cracks in road structural layers

ShiLi GUO, Dong LIANG, HongYan ZHANG, WenCai CAI, PengFei TIAN, MingYu YU, YuHang ZHU

Prog Geophy ›› 2025, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (5) : 2172-2186.

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Prog Geophy ›› 2025, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (5) : 2172-2186. DOI: 10.6038/pg2025JJ0049

Review of ground penetrating radar detection technology for attribute characteristics of cracks in road structural layers

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Abstract

Road cracks, a common type of road distress, compromise structural integrity, accelerate deterioration, induce secondary disasters, and shorten service life. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is currently the primary technological method for long-distance, engineering-scale, efficient, and non-destructive detection of the internal development of road cracks. The paper systematically reviews the formation mechanisms of road cracks and their impacts on road performance. It analyzes the key technical challenges faced by GPR in detecting road cracks and provides a detailed overview of the latest research achievements and application potential of GPR in detecting attributes of road cracks, such as depth, width, and dip. The review offers technical support and practical guidance for the precise detection and quantitative analysis of road cracks using GPR. It also promotes the application of GPR in detecting hidden road distress and implementing precise remediation measures.

Key words

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) / Road cracks / Attribute characteristics / Non-destructive testing

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ShiLi GUO , Dong LIANG , HongYan ZHANG , et al . Review of ground penetrating radar detection technology for attribute characteristics of cracks in road structural layers[J]. Progress in Geophysics. 2025, 40(5): 2172-2186 https://doi.org/10.6038/pg2025JJ0049

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