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What is Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) used for? Ground Penetrating Radar or GPR for short, has many, many uses in the modern world. For those who aren't familiar with the process of GPR it is a non-destructive, economical way of testing solid masses for hidden defects and items. In the shortest explanation possible, it sends radio signals into the test area (usually consisting of rock, ice, soil etc) and measures the time the signals take to bounce back to the receiver. If there is an anomaly in results, there is a hidden crack, lesion or item within the test area. So what is this useful technology used for? GPR is used in a huge range of businesses and fields of study. Firstly, it is used across the Earth sciences, mainly in Geography and Geology. It is a quick, efficient way of scanning a variety of materials for imperfections and hidden features. Its proven successful with studies of bedrock, ice, groundwater movements and habits and soil studies. The field of Archaeology uses GPR extensively - particularly the discipline of archaeological geophysics. GPR is used to pick up any features, patterns and artifacts buried beneath the surface of the digging zone. The 3D mapping GPR allows means archaeologists can get a perfect view of hidden crypts, buildings or burial plots without having to waste time searching elsewhere. It also cuts down the likelihood of an artifact getting damaged during excavation - archaeologists already know the exact whereabouts of an item before beginning digging. A perfect example of GPR use in archaeology is the UK Channel 4's television show Time Team. The benefits of GPR are used on a regular basis on the show. Although Ground Penetrating Radar has the amazing ability to locate incredibly small items hidden within large depths of matter, it does have some downfalls. When scanning fine grained sediments like silt or clay or rocky sediments its signal significantly decreases - partially losing some of its powerful abilities. A more unusual use for GPR over the years has involved gold digging. Those hunting for gold nuggets have used GPR to search for gaps in natural gravel beds - possibly hiding holes for the expensive, but often elusive lumps of gold. In the past, GPR has also been used by people searching for diamonds. Arguably, GPR's main use is in the construction industry. It is used both in the process of creating a new structure and maintaining current ones. Concrete scanning in particular is incredibly popular in the construction and maintanence of various structures. Essential to use on any future building site, concrete scanning picks up any hidden features buried beneath the surface, any unknown pipes or utility lines. Concrete scanning is the best way for avoiding possible extra costs and delays in building at a later date. As well as scanning future structral sites, GPR is employed to check current buildings for any structural damage. Police teams across the globe also use GPR in the search for buried evidence and bodies. Underground mining relies heavily on GPR facilities for mapping 3D images of boreholes. The military use extensive GPR to detect unmapped tunnels and buried mines. In conclusion, there are many uses for Ground-Penetrating Radar technology - with the possibility for a lot more with the development of new technology.
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construction, concrete scanning, military, archaeology, technology,
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