Ground penetration radar technology, also known as GPR, is used in various industries connected to excavation of the ground or drilling and cutting within concrete slabs. There are many different reasons as to why this measuring equipment is used across fields like the construction industry, archaeology, or forensic investigations.
LiveLocates are the leading provider of underground locating services in NSW and ACT and are here to provide a detailed guide to GPR technology. If you work in the fields of construction, excavation, or archaeology, then you need to have a comprehensive understanding of the use and application of GPR services in determining what’s beneath the soil.
What is a ground penetrating radar?
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a technology used for identifying features and objects below the ground’s surface. Any hidden objects are reflected by omitting waves of electromagnetic energy into the ground. Using the two main parts of this technology, a transmitter and an antenna, ground penetrating radar measures the variation in the pulses reflected from hidden objects. After analysing and interpreting these reflections, the technician can create a detailed image of what lies beneath the surface.
What is ground penetrating radar used for?
Ground penetrating radars offer an efficient and effective method for locating objects beneath the ground or with specialised GPR equipment, within concrete slabs. A GPR can scan these contents without disrupting the earth or damaging the concrete, this means that it is a great alternative to traditional locating methods like excavation.
Ground penetrating radar is essential for many industries and vital for a broad range of applications.
- Construction industry: GPR is used to locate piping, cables, and other underground utilities before excavation work and construction can begin. Using GPR for underground locating prevents damage to any existing infrastructure. A special form of GPR is used for concrete slabs to locate pipes, cables and reinforcing in concrete slabs. This form of scanning prevents damage to assets or concrete integrity when drilling or cutting into the slab or undertaking demolition works.
- Geotechnical engineering: Before building dams or bridges, the structure and stability of the soil and rocks beneath are analysed with a GPR or similar technology.
- Transportation Industry: GPR is used to detect any features that can negatively affect the stability of roads, tunnels, and railways.
- Archaeology: GPR is used to locate artifacts, falls, graves, and other features of archaeological dig sites.
- Forensic Investigations: GPR can be used to find buried evidence in criminal investigations.
How LiveLocates utilise ground penetrating radar technology
Ground penetrating radar is one of the technologies used by the LiveLocates team to accurately assess and locate underground assets or provide information to customers on what is embedded in concrete slabs within a specific area.
We use state of the art technology, highly trained personnel, and industry experience to successfully identify and locate underground utilities and assets enabling your projects to proceed safely and without incurring unexpected costs and delays. All LiveLocates technicians have completed the specialised and nationally accredited training for ‘Scan concrete using ground penetrating radar’.
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is highly useful for locating and tracing non-conductive underground utilities and assets that may be harder to trace with more conventional methods. Utilities made of polyurethane, concrete, and nylon pipes can regularly be found through ground penetrating radar (GPR) scanning.
The benefits of using GPR
- GPR can locate various utilities and assets underground, including voids and irregularities.
- Using GPR means that all workers are fully aware of what lies beneath, assisting in preventing any damage to infrastructure, which means that the danger presented to the public and the technicians is decreased significantly.
- Standard utility locating services of LiveLocates includes the provision of GPR on all sites.
How deep can a ground penetrating radar go?
The potential depth of a GPR scan depends on multiple factors, most importantly, the GPR equipment itself. The depth measurement is foremost linked to the signal frequency received by the GPR from the ground and the materials in the subsurface. For that reason, the consistency of the soil is another crucial factor. GPR technology also functions better in a low-conductivity environment, like dry soil.
How much does GPR scanning cost?
GPR scanning costs usually depend on the size and complexity of the scanned area. With many other locating company’s GPR scans costs can be significant. Additional fees for travel, data analysis, the depth of the scan, and report preparation may accrue.
At LiveLocates, we provide GPR scanning services as part of our standard underground utility locating services. Speak to our team today for a realistic estimate on how this technology can benefit your project.
GPR scanning with LiveLocates
GPR scanning for both ground and concrete slab surfaces is an important step in undertaking excavation work. A GPR is used when hidden objects are assumed under the ground as part of the underground locating process. Failing to accurately locate assets can damage underground utilities, endangering the on-site crew and the public.
When planning an excavation or concrete drilling and cutting on your worksite, be sure to accurately locate all assets before going ahead. If you’re located on the South Coast, Snowy Mountains, Snowy Valley, Canberra suburbs and surrounding regions, get in touch with LiveLocates today.
LiveLocates are the leading provider of ground penetrating radar services, as well as non-destructive excavation, and concrete scanning across New South Wales and the Australia Capital Territory. We offer our services to ensure the safety across all worksites. For more information, get in touch with the experts at LiveLocates today.
