Distance-restrained atmospheric parameters correction (DR-APC) model for GB-SAR transmission power attenuation compensation in bridges dynamic deflection measurement

•A high-accuracy ground-based synthetic aperture radar measurement method.•A distance-restrained atmospheric parameters correction (DR-APC) model is presented, which is derived with restrictions of the propagation distance, the height from the radar unit to the lower surface of the bridge, and the elevation angle of radar unit.•The distance-restrained part in the proposed model is acquired by using the static experimental method.•The efficacy of the proposed DR-APC model has been validated through dynamic deflection measurements in three bridges experimental areas. It proves that the proposed DR-APC model is effective and helpful to promote the application of GB-SAR in bridge health monitoring.