Moritz Schwing

Numerical 3-D FEM and Experimental Analysis of the Open-Ended Coaxial Line Technique for Microwave Dielectric Spectroscopy on Soil

Open-ended coaxial line probes (OCs) are systematically analyzed by means of numerical 3-D finite element calculations in combination with experimental investigations for microwave dielectric spectroscopy on fine grained soils. The probes, based on conventional coaxial lines and connectors (N, SMA), are broadband characterized in the frequency range from 1 MHz to 10 GHz. The sensitive region for dielectric measurements is ±7-mm lateral and 7-mm perpendicular to the midpoint of the sensor aperture. The spatial spreading of the sensitive zone is stable for the investigated low-loss and high-loss strongly dispersive standard liquids, as well as the saturated and unsaturated soils. Dielectric spectra are determined based on a bilinear relationship between effective permittivity and complex reflection coefficient of the probe after probe-calibration with known standards. The mean relative error of the real part of the complex permittivity from 100 MHz to 10 GHz is smaller than 3.5% and is less than 10% for the imaginary part. A lower limit of the measurement range of 50 MHz with the used procedure and materials is suggested. Complex effective permittivity of saturated fine-grained soils is determined with the developed probes and procedure. The soil dielectric spectra were analyzed with a broadband relaxation model, as well as a novel, coupled hydraulic-dielectric mixture approach. The results demonstrate the suitability of the investigated OCs for the determination of high resolution soil dielectric spectra.

Broadband dielectric measurement methods for soft geomaterials: coaxial transmission line cell and open-ended coaxial probe

Broadband dielectric measurement methods based on vector network analyzer coupled with coaxial transmission line cell (CC) and open-ended coaxial probe (OC) are simply reviewed, by which the dielectric behaviors in the frequency range of 1 MHz to 3 GHz of two practical geomaterials are investigated. Kaolin after modified compaction with different water contents is measured by using CC. The results are consistent with previous study on standardized compacted kaolin and suggest that the dielectric properties at frequencies below 100 MHz are not only a function of water content but also functions of other soil state parameters including dry density. The hydration process of a commercial grout is monitored in real time by using OC. It is found that the time dependent dielectric properties can accurately reveal the different stages of the hydration process. These measurement results demonstrate the practicability of the introduced methods in determining dielectric properties of soft geomaterials.

Radio to microwave dielectric characterisation of constitutive electromagnetic soil properties using vector network analyses

The knowledge of constitutive broadband electromagnetic (EM) properties of porous media such as soils and rocks is essential in the theoretical and numerical modeling of EM wave propagation in the subsurface. This paper presents an experimental and numerical study on the performance EM measuring instruments for broadband EM wave in the radio-microwave frequency range. 3-D numerical calculations of a specific sensor were carried out using the Ansys HFSS (high frequency structural simulator) to further evaluate the probe performance. In addition, six different sensors of varying design, application purpose, and operational frequency range, were tested on different calibration liquids and a sample of fine-grained soil over a frequency range of 1 MHz-40 GHz using four vector network analysers. The resulting dielectric spectrum of the soil was analysed and interpreted using a 3-term Cole-Cole model under consideration of a direct current conductivity contribution. Comparison of sensor performances on calibration materials and fine-grained soils showed consistency in the measured dielectric spectra at a frequency range from 100 MHz-2 GHz. By combining open-ended coaxial line and coaxial transmission line measurements, the observable frequency window could be extended to a truly broad frequency range of 1 MHz-40 GHz.

Estimation of the Soil Water Characteristics from dielectric relaxation spectra

The frequency dependence of dielectric material properties of water saturated and unsaturated porous materials such as soil is not only disturbing in applications with high frequency electromagnetic (HF-EM) techniques but also contains valuable information of the material due to strong contributions by interactions between the aqueous pore solution and mineral phases. Hence, broadband HF-EM sensor techniques enable the estimation of soil physico-chemical parameters such as water content, texture, mineralogy, cation exchange capacity and matric potential. In this context, a multivariate (MV) approach was applied to estimate the Soil Water Characteristic Curve (SWCC) from experimentally determined dielectric relaxation spectra of a silty clay soil. The results of the MV-approach were compared with results obtained from empirical equations and theoretical models as well as a novel hydraulic/electromagnetic coupling approach. The applied MV-approach gives evidence, (i) of a physical relationship between soil dielectric relaxation behavior and soil water characteristics as an important hydraulic material property and (ii) the applicability of appropriate sensor techniques for the estimation of physico-chemical parameters of porous media from broadband measured dielectric spectra.

Non-destructive coaxial transmission line measurements for dielectric soil characterization

A high-frequency electromagnetic measurement technique is employed to investigate dielectric properties of a fine-grained soil. As a case study, a standardized compacted fine-grained soil was investigated using a coaxial transmission line cell in combination with vector network analyzer technique in a frequency range from 1 MHz to 3 GHz. The measurement results indicate that this type of sensor enables the broadband determination of soil dielectric spectra, i.e. the frequency dependent relative effective complex permittivity. Hence, with the introduced coaxial transmission line setup the dielectric relaxation behavior of the investigated soil can reliably characterize defined structural states. Moreover, it was found that dielectric material parameters at high frequencies are mainly related to the volume fractions of the soil phases, i.e. water content whereas at low frequencies to soil structure and density due to interface processes.

Dielectric measurement method for real-time monitoring of initial hardening of backfill materials used for underground construction

The broadband dielectric measurement method based on the vector network analysis technique, in combination with an open-ended coaxial probe, was applied to the determination of the dielectric relaxation behaviour of one- and two-component backfilling grout materials in the frequency range from 40 MHz to 2 GHz. The cement hydration process and the gelling of commercial grouts was monitored in real-time to investigate the application of non-destructive testing methods in the tunnelling industry. It was found that the time-dependent dielectric relaxation behaviour can accurately reveal the different stages of the hydration process and delineate the start of gel hardening. These measurement results demonstrate the practicability of the real-time dielectric measurement method to determine the broadband dielectric parameters of conventional backfill materials used in underground construction to determine construction integrity using non-destructive testing methods.