GPR of a timber structural element

GPR of timber structural elements is not yet very common in practise but the technique has the potential for condition evaluation of timber material. In this laboratory investigation, a high frequency (2.3 GHz) radar antenna has been employed for detailed investigation of a historic timber beam from a roof structure. The GPR non-destructive diagnostic of the spruce beam was aimed at obtaining material information with a structural relevance, such as presence of knots, their position and depth, cracks, dimensional variations of geometry and extension of areas of decay, The radar scan was carried out along the beam length. The radargram obtained show very detailed information.