Electromagnetic Wave Attenuation in Concretes: An Experimental Study Toward Detection of People Trapped Under Rubble

Abstract

To detect and locate the life‐signs of living organisms trapped beneath earthquake rubble using radar technology, the attenuation of electromagnetic waves in concrete materials has been studied. Laboratory and field experiments were carried out on artificial rubble and partially collapsed structures, respectively, to assess the impact of factors such as frequency selection, antenna configuration, and environmental complexity on attenuation levels. By analyzing the transmit and receive power levels in controlled conditions, both the one‐way transmission and round‐trip reflection path losses are calculated for continuous‐wave signals within the 400 $400$ to 2000 $2000$ MHz frequency range. The trends in loss that depend on frequency, polarization, and view angle/distance are examined to enhance detectability in challenging radio frequency environments.