What is Ground Penetrating Radar?

A non-destructive method for shallow, high-resolution subsurface investigations of the earth. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) uses RADAR to detect features underground. This can range from changes in soil composition to buried objects such as utility cables and pipes. It works by transmitting an electromagnetic pulse into the ground at regular intervals. These pulses reflect off features in the ground and are detected by a receiver antenna. By measuring the strength and time delay of the responses it is possible to estimate the depth of the below ground features, and an estimate of size and shape.

What are the limitations of GPR?

The electrical properties of the ground will determine the success rate of the survey. The conductivity, for example will affect the penetration depth. If ground water is present then the radar will not work correctly.

GPR operates at frequencies from 25mHz to 3Ghz. That plays a factor in penetration depth and resolution. The higher the frequency, the less penetration but greater resolution. The lower the frequency, the greater penetration but lower resolution. Lower conductive materials can allow for GPR to reach depths of 30 meters, but materials that are highly conductive may only allow a depth of 1 meter. Advanced machines offer dual frequency antennas so you can see shallow and deep targets simultaneously.

What are the applications of GPR?

• Utility detection and mapping
• Railway Engineering, to measure track structure condition
• Road Engineering to evaluate the thickness of pavement layers
• Civil Engineering for multiple applications including estimating structural integrity
• Geology and Environment to locate subsurface layers and geological features
• Forensics and Security for locating evidence behind walls or under floors and finding hidden tunnels or compartments
• Archaeology and Heritage, to locate building remains, locating archaeological targets before excavations and more

Our GPR Products:

Leica DS2000

• Dual Frequency Antenna (250MHz and 700MHz) 
• Dual encoder system to track without losing distance
• Pivoting head to maximise ground contact and adjustable handle for better control
• Easy setup, simply click and start
• Portable and completely foldable
• Positioning with integrated encoders or with GPD/TPS
• Export to CAD function and onsite automatic report delivery.

IDS GeoRadar StreamC

• 32 antennas (600Mhz) in two polarisations to produce higher definition data. Surveys therefore only need to be performed in one direction.
• Robust construction for use in harsh, demanding environments
• Real-time 3D radar tomography on a GPS or total station assisted cartographic background
• Pipes, cables and buried objects are automatically transferred to CAD and GIS formats
• Automated pipe and cable detection in real-time
• Electronic ride height adjustment and a motor-assisted drive wheel to reduce user fatigue
• Positioning with integrated encoder wheel or GPS/TPS
• Can be towed manually to increase acquisition speed up to 6km/h to facilitate large surveys.

If you would like to know more about these products, please lick the links below. If you would like training on GPR, or would like to hire or purchase, please call us on 0330 678 0181.

See our range of Ground Penetrating Radars here, or for our range of Cable Avoidance Tools, click here.