Effects of iron pipe corrosion on GPR detection

Many studies into the use of GPR to detect targets assume that the targets are ideal reflectors. In reality most targets have been in the ground for many years and have settled and suffered some contamination or corrosion. Iron pipe in particular can be hard to find with GPR. Some possible corrosion processes suggest that a varying conductivity and permittivity profile may be established around a pipe. The consequences of such corrosion induced profiles are that the radar return may be greatly diminished in the classic look-down GPR mode of operation. The analysis shows that the novel look through GPR mode of operation is affected far less by the corrosion induced profiles.