The Application of Ground Penetrating Radar in the Detection of Hidden Hazards in the Wenzaobang River Dike in Shanghai

In maintaining safe navigation along the Wenzaobang River, the dike structure is subject to wave erosion, which can lead to hazards such as surface subsidence, void formation, tilting of the flood control wall, and localized cracking. This study aims to investigate the distribution of potential hazards within the dike by constructing a geological model of loose and voided soil, based on regional geological conditions, and performing forward modeling simulations. The results reveal that loose soil within the dike generates chaotic waveforms in ground-penetrating radar (GPR) images, while voids manifest as arc-shaped reflections. Using the forward modeling outcomes and the YOLOv11 network structure for recognition, the analysis and interpretation of the GPR data indicate the following potential hazard locations: at station 7 + 150 m to 7 + 170 m (depth 0–2 m), loose soil; at station 6 + 960 m to 6 + 970 m (depth 0–5 m), and at station 6 + 870 m to 6 + 890 m (depth 2–9 m), void formation. This research validates the integration of GPR and numerical simulation for geological hazard detection, demonstrating its applicability in complex environments and providing critical data for the design of dike reinforcement.