Ground penetrating radar, or GPR, is a powerful and widely used tool for locating objects underground with a variety of applications. GPR is most commonly used on horizontal ground, but it can also be used on walls or other vertical structures. There are numerous elements that GPR can detect underground, and detecting them can greatly reduce the likelihood of any risks and obstacles occurring during your construction project. Here are four excellent examples.
Pipes
Pipe detection is one of the most common applications of ground penetrating radar. Underground pipes are typically made of metal, and the metal's strong interaction with the radar signal makes them easy to detect and locate. That said, another major advantage of GPR is that it can often detect pipes made of other materials as well. This includes everything from PVC pipes to plastic pipes. It's also worth noting that GPR can detect and locate pipes whether they're full of water or not, as water has no effect on the radar.
Utilities
Aside from pipes, many utilities are routed underground using various methods and materials. Most of these alternatives will also be detected using ground penetrating radar. Gas, electricity, telecommunications and water are some examples of utilities.
Some of these utilities are delivered via conduits, various wiring and fibre optics. For example, most internet service providers now use fibre optics to transport data to their customers' homes. Detecting these utilities before you begin digging in the ground for your project will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Structural Components
Another set of elements to look for before you start digging are structural components. Not only is this critical in saving you time, but it can also prevent legal issues by helping to prevent the safety issues and injuries that these structural components may cause if you or your workers are caught off guard.
Locating structures underground can also be a good way to ensure that they are correctly placed during construction, providing you with the necessary assurance and peace of mind to proceed with the rest of the process.
Vacant Spaces
Detecting any cavities surrounding underground structures is an important part of any underground digging construction process. These cavities can sometimes be found inside buildings as well. Anomalies like these, whether outside or inside structures, can cause dangerous events like sinkholes, which can lead to the collapse of buildings and roads. To avoid such disasters, it is critical to detect and locate cavities using GPR and proceed as needed.
