Ground Penetrating Radars (GPR) are an important tool in safely collecting underground utility data.
Ground Penetrating Radar technology is a vital piece of the underground locating process. It can accurately locate what lies below a surface without needing any digging or drilling. Therefore, it is widely used by accredited locators in utility locating, in conjunction with other technologies such as hydro vacuum trucks and CAD modelling.
GPRs are not just used to locate buried pipes and cables; they are also used for other underground locating purposes by professionals from other industries. For example, they may be used by archaeologists, geophysical engineers, and military professionals.
How does a ground-penetrating radar work?
The GPR uses high-frequency radio waves to penetrate the Earth’s surface, gather data from beneath, and reflects signals and images of subsurface structures. When it is rolled across the ground’s surface, the electromagnetic waves detect changes in the soil below to identify structures and objects such as (but not limited to) rocks, pipes, cracks, and cables.
The performance of GPRs is heavily dependent on the condition of the ground that lies below the surface. Generally, the technology will deliver more accurate results in soil or sand-based environments as opposed to a rock-based environment. Soil and sand-based environments allow for better electrical conductivity and thus smoother travel between the surface and subsurface.
Why is GPR technology used?
GPR technology identifies services that are nonconductive and thus impossible to trace using other traditional digging methods. Additionally, it is a very safe method, as it does not cause any destruction. GPR is often used to assist in finding pipe locations, groundwater, electric cables, concrete structures, and other underground elements.
Our GPR technology is used in conjunction with traditional electronic locating methods as well as our non-destructive digging technology. All of our underground service locating vehicles are equipped with ground-penetrating radars. Our technicians are all trained in using them to industry-leading standards.
Locating underground services
Because there is a chance of damaging assets such as water pipes and underground cables, it is mandatory to do the appropriate research before commencing any digging for your project.
Before digging, we recommend that you contact the team of cable locators at Reveal Underground Services. Accurate and up-to-date utility service maps are essential to avoid any potential disruptions, and we can provide you with these.
Ground-penetrating Radar on the Gold Coast
At Reveal Underground Services, we have over a decade of experience using GPR technology to locate underground assets. We use the latest GPR technology available on the market to get the most accurate data for our clients. It allows us to create an underground service map that meets the requirements of your specific project.
If you want to discover more about the technology, you can find out more about the Ground Penetrating Radar services offered by Reveal Underground Services here. To contact us for a free quote on ground penetrating radar services, be sure to contact Reveal Underground Services today by calling 1300 REVEAL or by contacting us here.