Abstract: Detecting hidden troubles of embankment is of great significance for maintaining the safe operation of water conservancy project and improving the dam’s flood control ability. Geophysical method is the preferred method for nondestructive detection of hidden dam troubles. In this paper, commonly used detection methods are summarized in aspects of conductivity, permittivity, velocity, and other geophysical parameters; and the technological theories, development status, applicability and limitations are expounded. Some suggestions are also put forward for future researches: to enhance the analysis of physical characteristics of hidden troubles; to pay focus on theories of forward and inversion analysis; to incorporate 3D geophysical detection to ameliorate precision; to build a comprehensive exploration method combining various geophysical methods with geological and drilling methods; to apply time-shifted detection technology to tracing the development trend of hidden troubles; and to informatize the detection results.

Key words: embankment, hidden troubles, geophysical detection, research status, prospect, conductivity, permittivity, elastic wave velocity