Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) detection has been in use for many years and has become an essential tool in the construction and infrastructure industries. Among the many uses for GPR detection are locating underground ducts, pipes, and utilities—crucial for ensuring worker safety and avoiding costly damage during excavation. This non-invasive technology also helps identify hard-to-detect objects buried beneath the surface, making it invaluable for both planning and prevention.
As demand grows, more specialized companies are entering the field, highlighting GPR’s increasing relevance. It’s clear that GPR detection is not only a current asset but also the future of underground scanning. Still, important questions remain: How did this technology evolve, and what more can it do in the years ahead?
What is GPR?
GPR, or Ground Penetrating Radar, is a versatile, non-invasive technology used to detect both artificial and natural elements beneath the surface. It can identify underground tanks, metal and non-metallic pipes, electrical lines, water conduits, as well as rebar and post-tension cables embedded in concrete.
For those wondering what GPR is used for today, it’s widely applied in construction, engineering, and environmental studies due to its speed, cost-effectiveness, and safety. GPR waves are similar in strength to those from cell phones or Wi-Fi, unlike x-rays, which require up to 50 feet of safety clearance.
The concept of using radio waves to explore subsurface structures dates back decades, with early breakthroughs involving glacier measurements in polar regions and permafrost research in the 1970s.
How to Use GPR
Understanding how to use GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) depends largely on the project’s goals and the type of data required. Various scanning methods can be employed, but most involve using either a rectangular or linear grid across the area of interest. These grids help collect subsurface data, which is then transferred to specialized software for analysis.
Scanning can be performed using a grid for comprehensive mapping or a chain method for real-time cross-sectional imaging. The chain provides immediate visual feedback, while the grid allows for rapid data extraction and precise map development. Each method offers its own advantages, making GPR a flexible and effective tool for underground detection and analysis.
Understanding GPR Applications
GPR testing is a highly effective method for identifying and analyzing objects buried underground. Over time, its versatility has expanded, making it essential in a wide range of GPR applications, including the following:
Locating Underground Infrastructure
GPR is widely used to detect subsurface infrastructure such as conduits, pipes, fiber optic lines, water tanks, valves, and various buried objects—ensuring safe excavation and planning.
Road Assessment and Planning
GPR plays a key role in assessing road foundations and subsurface layers. It helps evaluate pavement thickness, detect voids, and guide maintenance or rehabilitation efforts.
Concrete Scanning
One of the most common GPR applications is scanning concrete. It can detect rebar, electrical conduits, voids, and assess structural integrity—all without damaging the surface.
Environmental and Archaeological Use
GPR is a valuable tool in environmental studies and archaeology. It helps delineate landfills, detect contamination levels, map unmarked graves, and uncover historical artifacts—all in a non-invasive, data-rich manner.
Factors Affecting GPR Testing
While GPR detection is highly effective in locating various subsurface objects, several factors can influence its accuracy. These include soil moisture content, the presence of strong electromagnetic interference, the depth of the target, and areas with multiple overlapping or hard-to-identify elements.
Although EM (electromagnetic) scans can cover the same area more quickly and at a lower cost, they often provide insufficient data—especially when detecting non-metallic underground cables. This can lead to unsafe excavation conditions, which compromise both project safety and budget control. That’s why the most reliable tool isn’t just the technology itself, but the skilled technicians who operate it.
At our company, safety and precision go hand in hand. Our technicians undergo regular on-site risk assessments and monthly safety training to minimize incidents. In fact, we believe the way a technician is trained to use each technology is more important than the technology itself.
Pushing Boundaries with GPR Detection
Staying at the forefront of technology is no small task, but it’s one we embrace. Our continuous improvement of processes and our commitment to innovation set us apart in the field of GPR detection. These efforts not only enhance the accuracy of our underground utility discoveries but also help reduce costs for our clients. Our goal is to deliver safe, efficient, and data-driven solutions on every project.
Feel free to contact us to learn more about how GPR detection can support your next project!