• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.49-60
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• 2024

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) enables rapid data acquisition over extensive areas, but interpreting the obtained data requires specialized knowledge. Numerous studies have utilized numerical analysis methods to examine GPR signal characteristics under various conditions. To develop more realistic numerical models, the heterogeneous nature of the ground, which causes clutter, must be considered. Clutter refers to signals reflected by objects other than the target. The Peplinski material model and fractal techniques can simulate these heterogeneous characteristics, yet there is a shortage of research on the necessary input parameters. Moreover, methods for quantitatively evaluating the similarity between field and analytical data are not well established. In this study, we calculated the autocorrelation coefficient of field data and determined the correlation length using the autocorrelation function. The correlation length represented the temporal or spatial distance over which data exhibited similarity. By comparing the correlation length of field data with that of the numerical model incorporating fractal weights, we quantitatively evaluated a numerical model for heterogeneous ground. Consequently, the results of this study demonstrated a numerical modeling technique that reflected the clutter characteristics of the field through correlation length.