Utility mapping is used to determine the location of buried pipes or cables. It is an essential part of the civil engineering process, saving time and money on costly repair work and delays caused by utility collisions. With a good mapping method such as GPR detection, project planners can accurately predict the costs of the work to be done.
What is the GPR?
The GPR is a method of geophysical location frequently. It uses radio frequency waves to produce images of the subsurface, allowing us to accurately locate underground utilities, etc. This non-destructive method uses radio frequencies in the microwave band, which detect reflected signals after encountering underground structures or changes in soil composition.
Concrete Evaluation: Advantages of Using a GPR
The accuracy
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a very reliable method and is one of the safest ways to map water pipes, fiber optics, drainage, and other utility infrastructure. GPR technology generates subsurface maps that are then translated into 3D images and drawings once the information is transferred to a CAD specialist in an office. These drawings are then used in the planning stages of utility projects to determine where underground services can or cannot be placed.
No need for excavation
Before the arrival of GPR scanning technology, engineers had two options for determining what was underground: they could use schematics, or they could excavate the ground. The problem is that schematics do not always include everything. In many cases, features such as native burial grounds were under a construction site, leading to complications years later. Excavation is expensive, both in terms of money and time. Avoiding these costs is something this detection method (ground penetrating radar) can do for you.
Sensitivity and penetration depth
Since a GPR system collects data faster, this collection rate is used to reduce the background noise of the system, which effectively increases the depth of signal penetration.
Saving money
Any disruption can also affect the budget of a project. If there are unforeseen piers, sewer materials or rocks underneath, it can have a massive impact on the cost. GPR can provide unanticipated savings by locating fiber lines before a project even begins. It can even detect power lines under concrete to ensure zero downtime.
The GPR is easy to use
Originally, the GPR was considered a major capital investment, reserved for experts and skilled operators. Thanks to technological advances and innovation, the new GPR equipment has a simple electronic design, with user-friendly interfaces that do not require complex filter settings.