Este trabalho trata da simulação da propagação de ondas eletromagnéticas (1-D) em meios geológicos de propriedades físicas conhecidas (espessura, condutividade e permissividade elétrica), do registro das ondas EM refletidas (dados sintéticos) para uma antena receptora, e do uso desse registro em algoritmos de inversão e otimização que procuram estimar as propriedades físicas dos meios geológicos. Adotou-se modelos geológicos estratificados de pequena espessura (< 1,2 m) e altas frequências para a onda eletromagnética (800, 1000 e 1200 MHz). A propagação da onda eletromagnética é modelada por meio da resolução das equações de Maxwell no método FDTD. Os métodos de inversão Quasi-Newton e Otimização Ant Colony modificado são aplicados sobre os dados sintéticos para estimar os parâmetros elétricos para cada camada geológica. Ambos os métodos foram aplicados alternadamente para aumentar a precisão e a convergência ao longo da profundidade. Os métodos de inversão foram capazes de estimar simultaneamente duas propriedades eletromagnéticas do modelo geológico: a permissividade elétrica e a condutividade elétrica. Os métodos de inversão alcançaram bons resultados quando executados simultaneamente sobre os dados sintéticos em 3 diferentes frequências. Exemplos de estimativas dos perfis de condutividade e permissividade elétricas unidimensionais são apresentados, com e sem inserção de ruídos nos dados. Os resultados indicam que a combinação dos métodos de inversão (ACO modificado e Quasi-Newton) pode fornecer bons resultados para as estimativas dos parâmetros físicos de meios geológicos e geotécnicos em meios rasos. Além disso, essa combinação de métodos de inversão abre novas perspectivas para o processamento de dados georradar multi-canais. As investigações também mostram que a simulação dos perfis sintéticos por meio do método FDTD pode propagar erros em espessuras maiores de subsolo, devido ao fato de ser um método explícito. / This work deals with simulation of a 1-D electromagnetic wave propagating into a geological structure of known physical properties (thickness, electric conductivity and permittivity), the record of the reflected EM wave (synthetic data), and the use of these records in inversion and optimization algorithms to estimate back the physical properties of the geological structure. A stratified and thin (< 1.2 m) geological structure was initially constructed in order to be scanned by high frequency EM waves (800, 1000, and 1200 MHz). The EM wave propagation is simulated by Maxwell equations through FDTD method. The Quasi-Newton inversion and Ant Colony Optimization methods were applied into synthetic data to estimate original physical parameters of each geological layer. Both methods were applied in order to increase precision and convergence along depth. These methods were able to simultaneously estimate two physical properties of the geological structure: electrical permittivity and conductivity. The methods showed good results when applied simultaneously upon synthetic data of all three frequencies. Electric permittivity and conductivity profiles are shown with and without noise in the data. The results indicate that combined inversion methods can show good results to estimate physical properties of thin geological and geothecnical structures. The combined inversion methods open new perspectives to multichannel GPR data processing. The investigations also show that simulation of synthetic data through FDTD can propagate errors when dealing with thick geological structures, due to the fact that FDTD is an explicit method.

Este trabalho trata da simulação da propagação de ondas eletromagnéticas (1-D) em meios geológicos de propriedades físicas conhecidas (espessura, condutividade e permissividade elétrica), do registro das ondas EM refletidas (dados sintéticos) para uma antena receptora, e do uso desse registro em algoritmos de inversão e otimização que procuram estimar as propriedades físicas dos meios geológicos. Adotou-se modelos geológicos estratificados de pequena espessura (< 1,2 m) e altas frequências para a onda eletromagnética (800, 1000 e 1200 MHz). A propagação da onda eletromagnética é modelada por meio da resolução das equações de Maxwell no método FDTD. Os métodos de inversão Quasi-Newton e Otimização Ant Colony modificado são aplicados sobre os dados sintéticos para estimar os parâmetros elétricos para cada camada geológica. Ambos os métodos foram aplicados alternadamente para aumentar a precisão e a convergência ao longo da profundidade. Os métodos de inversão foram capazes de estimar simultaneamente duas propriedades eletromagnéticas do modelo geológico: a permissividade elétrica e a condutividade elétrica. Os métodos de inversão alcançaram bons resultados quando executados simultaneamente sobre os dados sintéticos em 3 diferentes frequências. Exemplos de estimativas dos perfis de condutividade e permissividade elétricas unidimensionais são apresentados, com e sem inserção de ruídos nos dados. Os resultados indicam que a combinação dos métodos de inversão (ACO modificado e Quasi-Newton) pode fornecer bons resultados para as estimativas dos parâmetros físicos de meios geológicos e geotécnicos em meios rasos. Além disso, essa combinação de métodos de inversão abre novas perspectivas para o processamento de dados georradar multi-canais. As investigações também mostram que a simulação dos perfis sintéticos por meio do método FDTD pode propagar erros em espessuras maiores de subsolo, devido ao fato de ser um método explícito. / This work deals with simulation of a 1-D electromagnetic wave propagating into a geological structure of known physical properties (thickness, electric conductivity and permittivity), the record of the reflected EM wave (synthetic data), and the use of these records in inversion and optimization algorithms to estimate back the physical properties of the geological structure. A stratified and thin (< 1.2 m) geological structure was initially constructed in order to be scanned by high frequency EM waves (800, 1000, and 1200 MHz). The EM wave propagation is simulated by Maxwell equations through FDTD method. The Quasi-Newton inversion and Ant Colony Optimization methods were applied into synthetic data to estimate original physical parameters of each geological layer. Both methods were applied in order to increase precision and convergence along depth. These methods were able to simultaneously estimate two physical properties of the geological structure: electrical permittivity and conductivity. The methods showed good results when applied simultaneously upon synthetic data of all three frequencies. Electric permittivity and conductivity profiles are shown with and without noise in the data. The results indicate that combined inversion methods can show good results to estimate physical properties of thin geological and geothecnical structures. The combined inversion methods open new perspectives to multichannel GPR data processing. The investigations also show that simulation of synthetic data through FDTD can propagate errors when dealing with thick geological structures, due to the fact that FDTD is an explicit method.

Este trabalho trata da simulação da propagação de ondas eletromagnéticas (1-D) em meios geológicos de propriedades físicas conhecidas (espessura, condutividade e permissividade elétrica), do registro das ondas EM refletidas (dados sintéticos) para uma antena receptora, e do uso desse registro em algoritmos de inversão e otimização que procuram estimar as propriedades físicas dos meios geológicos. Adotou-se modelos geológicos estratificados de pequena espessura (< 1,2 m) e altas frequências para a onda eletromagnética (800, 1000 e 1200 MHz). A propagação da onda eletromagnética é modelada por meio da resolução das equações de Maxwell no método FDTD. Os métodos de inversão Quasi-Newton e Otimização Ant Colony modificado são aplicados sobre os dados sintéticos para estimar os parâmetros elétricos para cada camada geológica. Ambos os métodos foram aplicados alternadamente para aumentar a precisão e a convergência ao longo da profundidade. Os métodos de inversão foram capazes de estimar simultaneamente duas propriedades eletromagnéticas do modelo geológico: a permissividade elétrica e a condutividade elétrica. Os métodos de inversão alcançaram bons resultados quando executados simultaneamente sobre os dados sintéticos em 3 diferentes frequências. Exemplos de estimativas dos perfis de condutividade e permissividade elétricas unidimensionais são apresentados, com e sem inserção de ruídos nos dados. Os resultados indicam que a combinação dos métodos de inversão (ACO modificado e Quasi-Newton) pode fornecer bons resultados para as estimativas dos parâmetros físicos de meios geológicos e geotécnicos em meios rasos. Além disso, essa combinação de métodos de inversão abre novas perspectivas para o processamento de dados georradar multi-canais. As investigações também mostram que a simulação dos perfis sintéticos por meio do método FDTD pode propagar erros em espessuras maiores de subsolo, devido ao fato de ser um método explícito. / This work deals with simulation of a 1-D electromagnetic wave propagating into a geological structure of known physical properties (thickness, electric conductivity and permittivity), the record of the reflected EM wave (synthetic data), and the use of these records in inversion and optimization algorithms to estimate back the physical properties of the geological structure. A stratified and thin (< 1.2 m) geological structure was initially constructed in order to be scanned by high frequency EM waves (800, 1000, and 1200 MHz). The EM wave propagation is simulated by Maxwell equations through FDTD method. The Quasi-Newton inversion and Ant Colony Optimization methods were applied into synthetic data to estimate original physical parameters of each geological layer. Both methods were applied in order to increase precision and convergence along depth. These methods were able to simultaneously estimate two physical properties of the geological structure: electrical permittivity and conductivity. The methods showed good results when applied simultaneously upon synthetic data of all three frequencies. Electric permittivity and conductivity profiles are shown with and without noise in the data. The results indicate that combined inversion methods can show good results to estimate physical properties of thin geological and geothecnical structures. The combined inversion methods open new perspectives to multichannel GPR data processing. The investigations also show that simulation of synthetic data through FDTD can propagate errors when dealing with thick geological structures, due to the fact that FDTD is an explicit method.

High cost is a current problem with modern radar systems. Software-defined radios (SDRs) offer a possible solution for low-cost customizable radar systems. An SDR is a radio communi- cation system where, instead of the traditional radio components implemented in hardware, many of the components are implemented in software on a computer or embedded system. Although SDRs were originally designed for wireless communication systems, the firmware of an SDR can be configured into a radar system. With new companies entering the market, various types of low- cost SDRs have emerged. This thesis explores the use of a LimeSDR-Mini in a short-range radar through open software tools and custom code. The LimeSDR-Mini is successfully shown to detect targets at a short range. However, due to the instability of the LimeSDR-Mini, the consistent detection of a target is not possible. This thesis shows how the LimeSDR is characterized and how timing synchronization and instability issues are mitigated. The LimeSDR-Mini falls short of operating reliable in a radar system and other SDR boards need to be explored as viable options. Test setups using coaxial cables and test setups using antennas in an outdoor environment show the instability of the LimeSDR-Mini. The transmitter and the receiver are asynchronous. The timing difference varies slightly from run to run, which results in issues that are exacerbated in a short-range radar. The bleed-through signal is the signal leakage from the transmitter to the receiver. The bleed-through signal prevents the detection of targets at a short-range. Feed-through nulling is a signal processing technique used to eliminate the bleed-through signal so that short- range targets can be detected. The instability of the LimeSDR-Mini reduces the effectiveness of feed-through nulling techniques.

The theme of this dissertation is to advance safety hazard mitigation by detecting and characterizing hidden targets of concern. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is used to detect and characterize hidden targets that pose safety hazards at Earth's surface, within shallow soil, and within rock. The resulting images detect unexploded ordnance (UXO) and detect fractures that pose collapse hazards in a mine. Detecting and characterizing fractures and voids within rock prior to excavation can enable mitigation of mine collapse hazards. GPR data were acquired on the wall of a pillar in an underground mine. Strong radar reflections in the field data correlate with fractures and a cave exposed on the pillar walls. Pillar wall roughness was included in migration, a wavefield imaging algorithm, to quantitatively locate fractures and voids and map their spatial relationships within the rock. Quantifying the radar reflection amplitudes enabled mapping the distance between fracture walls. Detecting and characterizing UXO and landmines from a safe distance can enable de-mining. Migration was used to improve GPR imaging for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) data acquisitions. Existing algorithms were adapted for UAV flight irregularities and surface topography, and a new algorithm was developed that does not depend on the unknown soil wavespeed. Errors associated with wavespeed and raypath assumptions were quantified. The algorithms were tested with real and synthetic datasets. The improved and new algorithms are more successful than previous algorithms. To detect linear targets at all orientations, fully polarized GPR data are needed. Polarity combinations were investigated to optimize the detection of surface and subsurface small targets and linear targets. Scattering caused by topographic roughness is the primary shallow subsurface noise. For subsurface targets, detection is optimized by migration plus a polarity combination that captures all scattered energy. Strong reflection and scattering from the air-ground boundary can hide surface targets. Detection is optimized by removing the strong isotropic surface scattering, imaging targets by their anisotropic scattering. / Doctor of Philosophy / The theme of this dissertation is to advance safety hazard mitigation by detecting and characterizing hidden targets of concern. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is used to detect and characterize hidden targets that pose safety hazards at Earth's surface, within shallow soil, and within rock. The resulting images detect unexploded ordnance (UXO)/landmines and detect fractures that pose collapse hazards in a mine. Detecting and characterizing fractures and voids within rock prior to mining can enable mitigation of mine collapse hazards. GPR data were acquired on the wall of a pillar in an underground mine. Strong radar reflections in the field data correlate with fractures and a cave exposed on the pillar walls. Pillar wall roughness was included in migration, a wavefield imaging algorithm, to quantitatively locate fractures and voids and map their spatial relationships within the rock. Quantifying the radar reflection amplitudes enabled mapping the distance between fracture walls. Detecting and characterizing UXO, landmines from a safe distance can enable de-mining. Migration was used to improve GPR imaging for an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) data acquisition. Existing algorithms were adapted for drone flight irregularities and surface topography, and a new algorithm was developed that does not depend on the unknown soil properties. Errors associated with the algorithms' assumptions were quantified. The algorithms were tested with real and computer-generated datasets. The improved and new algorithms are more successful than previous algorithms. To detect all targets regardless of their orientation, GPR data need to be acquired with antenna pointing in multiple directions (different polarities). Polarity combinations were investigated to optimize the detection of surface and subsurface small targets and linear targets. Scattering caused by topographic roughness is the primary shallow subsurface noise. For subsurface targets, detection is optimized by migration plus a polarity combination that captures all scattered energy. Strong radar reflection from the air-ground boundary can hide surface targets. Detection is optimized by removing the strong ground surface from the data, and imaging targets by differences in their radar scattering.

Near field imaging using microwave in medical applications has gain much attention recently as various researches show its high ability and accuracy in illuminating object comparing to the well-known screening tools such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), digital mammography, ultrasound etc. This has encourage and motivate scientists continue to exploit the potential of microwave imaging so that a better and more powerful sensing tools can be developed. This thesis documents the development of antenna design for microwave imaging application such as breast cancer detection. The application is similar to the concept of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) but operating at higher frequency band. In these systems a short pulse is transmitted from an antenna to the medium and the backscattered response is investigated for diagnose. In order to accommodate such a short pulse, a very wideband antenna with a minimal internal reflection is required. Printed monopole and planar metal plate antenna is implemented to achieve the necessary operating wide bandwidth. The development of new compact printed planar metal plate ultra wide bandwidth antenna is presented. A generalized parametric study is carried out using two well-known software packages to achieve optimum antenna performance. The Prototype antennas are tested and analysed experimentally, in which a reasonable agreement was achieved with the simulations. The antennas present an excellent relative wide bandwidth of 67% with acceptable range of power gain between 3.5 to 7 dBi. A new compact size air-dielectric microstrip patch-antenna designs proposed for breast cancer detection are presented. The antennas consist of a radiating patch mounted on two vertical plates, fed by coaxial cable. The antennas show a wide bandwidth that were verified by the simulations and also confirmed experimentally. The prototype antennas show excellent performance in terms the input impedance and radiation performance over the target range bandwidth from 4 GHz to 8 GHz. A mono-static model with a homogeneous dielectric box having similar properties to human tissue is used to study the interaction of the antenna with tissue. The numerical results in terms the matching required of new optimised antennas were promising. An experimental setup of sensor array for early-stage breast-cancer detection is developed. The arrangement of two elements separated by short distance that confined equivalent medium of breast tissues were modelled and implemented. The operation performances due to several orientations of the antennas locations were performed to determine the sensitivity limits with and without small size equivalent cancer cells model. In addition, a resistively loaded bow tie antenna, intended for applications in breast cancer detection, is adaptively modified through modelling and genetic optimisation is presented. The required wideband operating characteristic is achieved through manipulating the resistive loading of the antenna structure, the number of wires, and their angular separation within the equivalent wire assembly. The results show an acceptable impedance bandwidth of 100.75 %, with a VSWR &lt; 2, over the interval from 3.3 GHz to 10.0 GHz. Feasibility studies were made on the antenna sensitivity for operation in a tissue equivalent dielectric medium. The simulated and measured results are all in close agreement.

A presente tese de doutoramento versa sobre o estudo das propriedades geotécnicas de solos residuais não saturados ocorrentes no município de Ubatuba, litoral norte do Estado de São Paulo. O estudo das propriedades geotécnicas foi realizado a partir de uma abordagem macro e micromorfológica, buscando estabelecer a relação existente entre a água presente no solo e sua variação sazonal. Os procedimentos e técnicas utilizadas permitiram diferenciar os horizontes de intemperismo quanto à microestrutura e porosidade, bem como caracterizar seus comportamentos físico e hídrico. Os ensaios geotécnicos, in situ e em laboratório, forneceram informações importantes sobre as propriedades dos materiais, tais como: índices físicos, distribuição granulométrica, limites de Atterberg, curvas de retenção de água e condutividade hidráulica saturada. Os dados registrados pelos equipamentos instalados no campo (pluviômetros, sensores GMS e FDR) permitiram avaliar a relação existente entre os eventos pluviométricos com a distribuição de umidade e sucção matricial ao longo dos perfis de alteração. Além disso, utilizouse metodologia geofísica de forma inédita na geotecnia brasileira para a determinação de perfis de umidade em solos residuais tropicais. Em termos gerais, os resultados obtidos permitiram estabelecer algumas relações entre as propriedades mecânicas e hidráulicas e as peculiaridades micromorfológicas dos horizontes de solos. Os resultados desse trabalho poderão ainda indicar áreas prioritárias para o monitoramento das variáveis climatológicas e geotécnicas, podendo fornecer apreciáveis subsídios para um futuro aperfeiçoamento dos parâmetros técnicos utilizados em Planos Preventivos de Defesa Civil (PPDC). / This doctoral thesis focusing on the study of the geotechnical properties of unsaturated residual soils occurring in the municipal district of Ubatuba, north coast of the State of Sao Paulo. The study of geotechnical properties was conducted from a macro and micromorfology approach, seeking to establish the relationship between the water present in the residual soil and its seasonal variations. The procedures and techniques enabled differentiate the horizons of weathering in relation to the microstructure and porosity, and characterize its physical-hydraulic behaviours. The laboratory and in situ geotechnical tests, provided important information about the properties of materials, such as: physical index, grain-size distribution, Atterberg limits, water retention curve and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The data registered by equipments installed in the field (pluviometers, FDR and GMS sensors) enabled to evaluate the relationship between the rainfall events with the distribution of moisture and suction matrix along the soil profiles. In addition, was used geophysical methodology in order unprecedented in brazilian geotechnical for the determination of moisture profiles in residual tropical soils. Overall, the results allowed establish some relationship between the hydraulic and mechanical properties and the micromorphological peculiarities of the horizons of soils. The results of this study may also indicate priority areas for monitoring the climatological and geotechnical variables, and may provide appreciable subsidies for a future improvement of the technical parameters used in Civil Defense Prevention Plans (PPDC).

The terms &lsquo / ground-probing radar&rsquo / , &lsquo / ground penetrating radar (GPR)&rsquo / , &lsquo / sub-surface radar&rsquo / or &lsquo / surface-penetrating radar (SPR)&rsquo / refer to various techniques for detecting and imaging of subsurface objects. Among those terms GPR is preferred and used more often. In this thesis, the depth and the position of the buried circular cylinder are determined by a GPR system which comprises of an optical fiber sensor (OFS). The system is a combination of OFS, GPR and optical communication link. In order to determine the depth and the position, first of all the electric field distribution at the OFS is obtained by integrating the Green&rsquo / s function over the induced current distribution. Those distributions are observed for different frequency and depth values. The voltages inside the distribution are measured by OFS. By changing the depth of the cylinder and the frequency of the system, various plots showing x axis displacement versus measured voltages are obtained. Those plots are related to interference fringe patterns. The position and the depth of the cylinder are obtained using interference fringe patterns. All of the studies mentioned are performed in MATLAB R2007b program. The noises of the system due to OFS are extracted using OPTIWAVE OPTISYSTEM 7.0 program. By adding those noises to the measured voltage values, the operating frequency of the system is observed.

A presente tese de doutoramento versa sobre o estudo das propriedades geotécnicas de solos residuais não saturados ocorrentes no município de Ubatuba, litoral norte do Estado de São Paulo. O estudo das propriedades geotécnicas foi realizado a partir de uma abordagem macro e micromorfológica, buscando estabelecer a relação existente entre a água presente no solo e sua variação sazonal. Os procedimentos e técnicas utilizadas permitiram diferenciar os horizontes de intemperismo quanto à microestrutura e porosidade, bem como caracterizar seus comportamentos físico e hídrico. Os ensaios geotécnicos, in situ e em laboratório, forneceram informações importantes sobre as propriedades dos materiais, tais como: índices físicos, distribuição granulométrica, limites de Atterberg, curvas de retenção de água e condutividade hidráulica saturada. Os dados registrados pelos equipamentos instalados no campo (pluviômetros, sensores GMS e FDR) permitiram avaliar a relação existente entre os eventos pluviométricos com a distribuição de umidade e sucção matricial ao longo dos perfis de alteração. Além disso, utilizouse metodologia geofísica de forma inédita na geotecnia brasileira para a determinação de perfis de umidade em solos residuais tropicais. Em termos gerais, os resultados obtidos permitiram estabelecer algumas relações entre as propriedades mecânicas e hidráulicas e as peculiaridades micromorfológicas dos horizontes de solos. Os resultados desse trabalho poderão ainda indicar áreas prioritárias para o monitoramento das variáveis climatológicas e geotécnicas, podendo fornecer apreciáveis subsídios para um futuro aperfeiçoamento dos parâmetros técnicos utilizados em Planos Preventivos de Defesa Civil (PPDC). / This doctoral thesis focusing on the study of the geotechnical properties of unsaturated residual soils occurring in the municipal district of Ubatuba, north coast of the State of Sao Paulo. The study of geotechnical properties was conducted from a macro and micromorfology approach, seeking to establish the relationship between the water present in the residual soil and its seasonal variations. The procedures and techniques enabled differentiate the horizons of weathering in relation to the microstructure and porosity, and characterize its physical-hydraulic behaviours. The laboratory and in situ geotechnical tests, provided important information about the properties of materials, such as: physical index, grain-size distribution, Atterberg limits, water retention curve and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The data registered by equipments installed in the field (pluviometers, FDR and GMS sensors) enabled to evaluate the relationship between the rainfall events with the distribution of moisture and suction matrix along the soil profiles. In addition, was used geophysical methodology in order unprecedented in brazilian geotechnical for the determination of moisture profiles in residual tropical soils. Overall, the results allowed establish some relationship between the hydraulic and mechanical properties and the micromorphological peculiarities of the horizons of soils. The results of this study may also indicate priority areas for monitoring the climatological and geotechnical variables, and may provide appreciable subsidies for a future improvement of the technical parameters used in Civil Defense Prevention Plans (PPDC).

[EN] Over time, due to multiple operational and maintenance activities, the networks of water supply systems (WSSs) undergo interventions, modifications or even are closed. In many cases, these activities are not properly registered. Knowledge of the paths and characteristics (status and age, etc.) of the WSS pipes is obviously necessary for efficient and dynamic management of such systems. This problem is greatly augmented by considering the detection and control of leaks. Access to reliable leakage information is a complex task. In many cases, leaks are detected when the damage is already considerable, which brings high social and economic costs. In this sense, non-destructive methods (e.g., ground penetrating radar - GPR) may be a constructive response to these problems, since they allow, as evidenced in this thesis, to ascertain paths of pipes, identify component characteristics, and detect primordial water leaks. Selection of GPR in this work is justified by its characteristics as non-destructive technique that allows studying both metallic and non-metallic objects. Although the capture of information with GPR is usually successful, such aspects as the capture settings, the large volume of generated information, and the use and interpretation of such information require high level of skill and experience. This dissertation may be seen as a step forward towards the development of tools able to tackle the problem of lack of knowledge on the WSS buried assets. The main objective of this doctoral work is thus to generate tools and assess their feasibility of application to the characterization of components of WSSs from GPR images. In this work we have carried out laboratory tests specifically designed to propose, develop and evaluate methods for the characterization of the WSS buried components. Additionally, we have conducted field tests, which have enabled us to determine the feasibility of implementing such methodologies under uncontrolled conditions. The methodologies developed are based on techniques of intelligent data analysis. The basic principle of this work has involved the processing of data obtained through the GPR to look for useful information about WSS components, with special emphasis on the pipes. After performing numerous activities, one can conclude that, using GPR images, it is feasible to obtain more information than the typical identification of hyperbolae currently performed. In addition, this information can be observed directly, e.g. more simply, using the methodologies proposed in this doctoral work. These methodologies also prove that it is feasible to identify patterns (especially with the preprocessing algorithm termed Agent race) that provide fairly good approximation of the location of leaks in WSSs. Also, in the case of pipes, one can obtain such other characteristics as diameter and material. The main outcomes of this thesis consist in a series of tools we have developed to locate, identify and visualize WSS components from GPR images. Most interestingly, the data are synthesized and reduced so that the characteristics of the different components of the images recorded in GPR are preserved. The ultimate goal is that the developed tools facilitate decision-making in the technical management of WSSs, and that such tools can even be operated by personnel with limited experience in handling non-destructive methodologies, specifically GPR. / [ES] Con el paso del tiempo, y debido a múltiples actividades operacionales y de mantenimiento, las redes de los sistemas de abastecimiento de agua (SAAs) sufren intervenciones, modificaciones o incluso, son clausuradas, sin que, en muchos casos, estas actividades sean correctamente registradas. El conocimiento de los trazados y características (estado y edad, entre otros) de las tuberías en los SAAs es obviamente necesario para una gestión eficiente y dinámica de tales sistemas. A esta problemática se suma la detección y el control de las fugas de agua. El acceso a información fiable sobre las fugas es una tarea compleja. En muchos casos, las fugas son detectadas cuando los daños en la red son ya considerables, lo que trae consigo altos costes sociales y económicos. En este sentido, los métodos no destructivos (por ejemplo, ground penetrating radar - GPR), pueden ser una respuesta a estas problemáticas, ya que permiten, como se pone de manifiesto en esta tesis, localizar los trazados de las tuberías, identificar características de los componentes y detectar las fugas de agua cuando aún no son significativas. La selección del GPR, en este trabajo se justifica por sus características como técnica no destructiva, que permite estudiar tanto objetos metálicos como no metálicos. Aunque la captura de información con GPR suele ser exitosa, la configuración de la captura, el gran volumen de información, y el uso y la interpretación de la información requieren de alto nivel de habilidad y experiencia por parte del personal. Esta tesis doctoral se plantea como un avance hacia el desarrollo de herramientas que permitan responder a la problemática del desconocimiento de los activos enterrados de los SAAs. El objetivo principal de este trabajo doctoral es, pues, generar herramientas y evaluar la viabilidad de su aplicación en la caracterización de componentes de un SAA, a partir de imágenes GPR. En este trabajo hemos realizado ensayos de laboratorio específicamente diseñados para plantear, elaborar y evaluar metodologías para la caracterización de los componentes enterrados de los SAAs. Adicionalmente, hemos realizado ensayos de campo, que han permitido determinar la viabilidad de aplicación de tales metodologías bajo condiciones no controladas. Las metodologías elaboradas están basadas en técnicas de análisis inteligentes de datos. El principio básico de este trabajo ha consistido en el tratamiento adecuado de los datos obtenidos mediante el GPR, a fin de buscar información de utilidad para los SAAs respecto a sus componentes, con especial énfasis en las tuberías. Tras la realización de múltiples actividades, se puede concluir que es viable obtener más información de las imágenes de GPR que la que actualmente se obtiene con la típica identificación de hipérbolas. Esta información, además, puede ser observada directamente, de manera más sencilla, mediante las metodologías planteadas en este trabajo doctoral. Con estas metodologías se ha probado que también es viable la identificación de patrones (especialmente el pre-procesado con el algoritmo Agent race) que proporcionan aproximación bastante acertada de la localización de las fugas de agua en los SAAs. También, en el caso de las tuberías, se puede obtener otro tipo de características tales como el diámetro y el material. Como resultado de esta tesis se han desarrollado una serie de herramientas que permiten visualizar, identificar y localizar componentes de los SAAs a partir de imágenes de GPR. El resultado más interesante es que los resultados obtenidos son sintetizados y reducidos de manera que preservan las características de los diferentes componentes registrados en las imágenes de GPR. El objetivo último es que las herramientas desarrolladas faciliten la toma de decisiones en la gestión técnica de los SAAs y que tales herramientas puedan ser operadas incluso por personal con una experiencia limitada en el manejo / [CA] Amb el temps, a causa de les múltiples activitats d'operació i manteniment, les xarxes de sistemes d'abastament d'aigua (SAAs) se sotmeten a intervencions, modificacions o fins i tot estan tancades. En molts casos, aquestes activitats no estan degudament registrats. El coneixement dels camins i característiques (estat i edat, etc.) de les canonades d'aigua i sanejament fa evident la necessitat d'una gestió eficient i dinàmica d'aquests sistemes. Aquest problema es veu augmentat en gran mesura tenint en compte la detecció i control de fuites. L'accés a informació fiable sobre les fuites és una tasca complexa. En molts casos, les fugues es detecten quan el dany ja és considerable, el que porta costos socials i econòmics. En aquest sentit, els mètodes no destructius (per exemple, ground penetrating radar - GPR) poden ser una resposta constructiva a aquests problemes, ja que permeten, com s'evidencia en aquesta tesi, per determinar rutes de canonades, identificar les característiques dels components, i detectar les fuites d'aigua quan encara no són significatives. La selecció del GPR en aquest treball es justifica per les seves característiques com a tècnica no destructiva que permet estudiar tant objectes metàl·lics i no metàl·lics. Tot i que la captura d'informació amb GPR sol ser reeixida, aspectes com ara la configuració de captura, el gran volum d'informació que es genera, i l'ús i la interpretació d'aquesta informació requereix alt nivell d'habilitat i experiència. Aquesta tesi pot ser vista com un pas endavant cap al desenvolupament d'eines capaces d'abordar el problema de la manca de coneixement sobre els actius d'aigua i sanejament enterrat. L'objectiu principal d'aquest treball doctoral és, doncs, generar eines i avaluar la seva factibilitat d'aplicació a la caracterització dels components de los SAAs, a partir d'imatges GPR. En aquest treball s'han dut a terme proves de laboratori específicament dissenyats per proposar, desenvolupar i avaluar mètodes per a la caracterització dels components d'aigua i sanejament soterrat. A més, hem dut a terme proves de camp, que ens han permès determinar la viabilitat de la implementació d'aquestes metodologies en condicions no controlades. Les metodologies desenvolupades es basen en tècniques d'anàlisi intel·ligent de dades. El principi bàsic d'aquest treball ha consistit en el tractament de dades obtingudes a través del GPR per buscar informació útil sobre els components d'SAA, amb especial èmfasi en la canonades. Després de realitzar nombroses activitats, es pot concloure que, amb l'ús d'imatges de GPR, és factible obtenir més informació que la identificació típica d'hipèrboles realitzat actualment. A més, aquesta informació pot ser observada directament, per exemple, més simplement, utilitzant les metodologies proposades en aquest treball doctoral. Aquestes metodologies també demostren que és factible per identificar patrons (especialment el pre-processat amb l'algoritme Agent race) que proporcionen bastant bona aproximació de la localització de fuites en SAAs. També, en el cas de tubs, es pot obtenir altres característiques com ara el diàmetre i el material. Els principals resultats d'aquesta tesi consisteixen en una sèrie d'eines que hem desenvolupat per localitzar, identificar i visualitzar els components dels SAAS a partir d'imatges GPR. El resultat més interessant és que els resultats obtinguts són sintetitzats i reduïts de manera que preserven les característiques dels diferents components registrats en les imatges de GPR. L'objectiu final és que les eines desenvolupades faciliten la presa de decisions en la gestió tècnica de SAA, i que tals eines poden fins i tot ser operades per personal amb poca experiència en el maneig de metodologies no destructives, específicament GPR. / Ayala Cabrera, D. (2015). Characterization of components of water supply systems from GPR images and tools of intelligent data analysis [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/59235 / TESIS / Premios Extraordinarios de tesis doctorales