Evaluation of ballast fouling using GPR

In order to evaluate the level of ballast fouling for Portugal aggregates and the influence of antenna frequency on its measurement several laboratory tests were performed on different materials. Initially the clean granitic ballast was tested in different water content conditions, from dry to soak in order to see the influence of water on the dielectric characteristics. The fouling of the ballast was reproduced in laboratory through mixing the ballast with soil, mainly fine particles, in order to simulate the fouling existing in several old lines in Portugal, where the ballast was placed over the soil without any sub ballast layer. Five different fouling levels were reproduced and tested in laboratory, with different water contents, four for each fouling level. Tests were performed with five Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) antennas with different frequencies, three ground coupled antennas of 400 MHz, 500 MHz and 900 MHz, and two horn antennas of 1000 MHz and 1800 MHz. In situ test pits were than used to validate the values of the dielectric constants obtained in laboratory. The main results obtained are presented in this paper together with troubleshooting associated to measurement on fouling ballast. This study is of interest for COST Action TU 1208.