Ground penetrating radar is an advanced technology that can detect what is underground. A question many people ask us is, how does ground penetrating radar work?
What is Ground Penetrating Radar?
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a locating method that uses geophysical location tools, such as radio waves, to capture images below the ground’s surface. There are many advantages to using GPR services over traditional underground detection devices. One of the largest advantages is that it is non-invasive and doesn’t require any digging or drilling.
Advantages of Ground Penetrating Radar
GPR detection is a cost-effective way to detect what is underneath the ground. As a result, many contractors use this technology before they start digging or purchasing land. Some of the top advantages of using GPR technology is that it can do the following:
- Provide a high level of detection capabilities
- Alert the operator of changes in the soil conditions caused by digging
- Provide the depth and thickness of subsurface abnormalities
- Create a visual map of what is underground
- It prevents problems from happening before you start digging. The crew can recognize if there is loose soil or erosion-prone areas before they begin.
With the many benefits of GPR technology, it is an easy choice to utilize before you start your construction project. GPR is one of the most advanced ways to paint a picture of what is underground.
How Ground Penetrating Radar Works
The transmitter on a GPR device sends electromagnetic energy into the soil. It can also send the energy through other materials, such as concrete, to detect what is underground. The technician paints a picture of what is underneath the ground by recording the echoes. The imaging devices can also detect if there are any variations in what the ground is made up of.
What Does Ground Penetrating Radar Detect?
Ground penetrating radar is an effective way of detecting a wide variety of materials underground. As long as there is a difference in the target objects and surrounding materials, GPR can detect them. Several materials that GPR technology can detect include:
- Concrete
- Metal
- Plastic
- PVC
- Water
- Debris
GPR can detect many more types of materials underground. Not only can it detect the materials, but it can also allow someone digging to understand exactly where these materials are placed.
Industries That Utilize Ground Penetrating Radar Technology
Because of GPR technology’s ability to detect so many types of material, it can be used in various industries. While construction is an industry that commonly uses GPR services, many other industries benefit from these services.
Common industries that utilize GPR services include:
- Grocery stores: When a grocery store wants to put something, such as a salad bar, in the middle of the floor, GPR can detect what is underground before they start cutting into the concrete. Using this technology can help to avoid cutting any wires or conduits.
- Government: Government entities have utilized our services to locate utilities and conduits in the government setting. We have also helped to identify underground storage tanks.
- Industrial manufacturing: When manufacturing facilities remodel or expand their locations, GPR technology can detect the thickness of the concrete.
- Agriculture: Our operations have now expanded into electromagnetics. Electromagnetics assist in measuring and mapping soil salinity to effectively focus efforts on managing salinity issues.
Contact Echo GPR for a Free Quote
If you need ground penetrating radar services, contact Echo GPR today! We offer services that include concrete scanning, utility locating, voids and sinkholes, grave locates, and more. We also offer complementary services such as leak detection, electromagnetic induction, and professional consulting, and we can act as expert witnesses.