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Ground Penetrating Radar Workshop Series: Principles, Methods, and Advanced 3D Data Analysis

Instructor: Dr Jan Francke

Dr Jan Francke is widely regarded as the world’s most experienced radar geophysicist, with over 35 years of global expertise in Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and fieldwork in 108 countries. He is the founder of Groundradar Inc. and co-founder of Geolitix, a platform for integrating GPR and geophysical data in infrastructure and resource mapping. A leader in radar system design, Dr Francke has developed and deployed custom GPR solutions for challenging environments, including deep mineral exploration and archaeological investigations.

His extensive experience across North Africa and the Gulf region includes major surveys for heritage preservation and resource evaluation in arid, low-conductivity terrains. Dr Francke holds a PhD in geophysics from King’s College London, focused on long-range GPR in desert environments. He has trained hundreds of professionals worldwide in radar theory, field techniques, and data interpretation.

Dr Francke’s work has shaped GPR practice across sectors—from mining and infrastructure to forensic and environmental studies—making him a key authority on radar performance in complex soil conditions, particularly those common across North Africa.

This two-part workshop series provides a focused and practical overview of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology, designed for geophysicists, engineers, and applied researchers. Held over two sessions of 2–3 hours, the workshops explore both foundational and advanced aspects of GPR, with particular attention to its use in complex subsurface environments like those found across North Africa.

Part 1

introduces core GPR principles, survey design, and field methods. Participants will examine how radar signals interact with different subsurface materials and learn how factors such as soil conductivity, moisture content, and grain size influence data quality—particularly relevant for the dry sands and variable stratigraphy often encountered in the region. The session also surveys GPR applications across multiple disciplines, including archaeology, utility detection, reinforced concrete assessment, geotechnical site characterization, and groundwater studies. Emphasis will be placed on choosing appropriate acquisition strategies and understanding the operational limits of GPR in challenging soil conditions.

part 2

focuses on interpreting GPR data using advanced software tools, with an emphasis on three-dimensional visualization and integration. Participants will explore how 3D GPR methods can enhance detection and interpretation of buried structures and utilities, offering a clearer spatial understanding of subsurface features. Through real-world examples and data demonstrations, attendees will gain insight into how modern processing and visualization techniques can overcome some of the inherent limitations of GPR, particularly in heterogeneous or low-contrast environments.

By the end of the series, participants will have a clear grasp of GPR’s capabilities and limitations and practical strategies for applying the technology effectively in field and analysis contexts. Whether working in archaeology, infrastructure, or environmental geophysics, attendees will leave better equipped to deploy GPR in North African conditions and beyond.