GEORADAR FOR MINE SHAFT ANALYSIS

Georadar was used for rapid analysis of a 670 m deep vertical mine shaft. The shaft that was characterized is located in the abandoned 540 acre Norton limestone mine in Fairlawn, Ohio. Traditional hardware and data acquisition techniques were modified to accommodate the unique hazards and requirements associated with mine shaft environments. Mine analysis is commonly performed using drilling or other destructive methods that only sample a small portion of the shaft. Georadar proved to be a cost effective, non-destructive method to analyze large portions of the shaft. Blasting of the shaft created a rough interface later covered by a variable thickness concrete liner. The thickness of the concrete liner and rock interface were effectively measured and imaged. Reinforcing bar, fractures, and voids were also detected and confirmed using independent methods.