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What is Ground Penetrating Radar Technology (GPR) and how does it work? Often used in the construction industries, Ground Penetration Radar Technology is an efficient method of locating hidden features that could cause damage to machinery or problems with structures further on down the line. As it eliminates the possibility of unexpected discoveries, it is non-destructive, efficient and cost-effective. So what is exactly is it and how does it work? The GPR Transmitter issues a high frequency radio signal into the ground. This signal is then reflected back to the transmitter. The transmitter then measures the time the radio signals take to travel into the ground, bounce off its target and arrive back at the receiver. These times indicate if there is a hidden item in the test area, where it is situated and the depth it is located at. All of this information is collected, stored and displayed by one piece of equipment. As the one machine does all, it allows operators to test the desired area and analysis the results immediately - saving on time and money for companies. Results can also be stored on-board and downloaded to other computers at a later date if further analysis/reports are needed. So what can it detect? As previously mentioned, it can locate hidden features in a chosen search area. This includes hidden objects, cracks, voids and changes in material. Its ability to detect cracks and voids make it ideal in structural inspections - it is commonly used in inspections of tunnels, bridges, garages, balconies and towers. Ground Penetrating Radar Technology not only scans through soil, it can also be used on concrete. This is an invaluable tool in the construction industry as it allows workers to locate conduits, rebar and post-tension cables embedded within concrete. As well as concrete, its signals can be transmitted through bodies of water, asphalt, wood, sand, gravel, limestone, air, granite and ice. As amazing as this technology is, it does have some limitations. Depending on the density of the material it is searching through, the depth range can go from a few inches (as in sea water) to thousands of feet (as in ice and air). This is all down to the electrical conductivity of the area being searched - the higher the conductivity, the lower the penetration depth of the GPR. In general, concrete scanning has a good searching depth of 15 metres.
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concrete scanning, GPR, construction, construction tools,
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