What Does
Electromagnetic Wave Measurement Mean?
Electromagnetic wave measurements are used to study materials that have electrical properties such as clay. This is done for the purpose of geotechnical investigation of soil. The electromagnetic waves disturb dipoles and electrical charges present in the material and at interfaces. Since soil is a particulate media, its properties are governed by the inter particle forces.
Understanding soil characteristics is important in trenchless technology in order to successfully complete a project.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Electromagnetic Wave Measurement
Low energy electromagnetic waves result in temporary and small disturbance to the soil being tested and cause polarization of the material. The waves cause relative displacement of positive and negative charges leading to local and global polarization of the material.
Frequency dependent polarization and deformation processes, and scattering and diffraction effects cause dispersive wave propagation manifesting the material properties. Since low energy waves do not cause permanent damage to the materials they traverse through, electromagnetic wave techniques are advantageous to study soil characteristics without affecting the measured properties.
Electromagnetic wave measurements can also be used to characterize geomaterials and study ongoing physio-chemical processes.