GPR Concrete Scanning Evolution & Solutions
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is the process in which a signal is sent into the earth or a structure, and changes in the signal reflected to the receiving antenna are logged for analysis. The popularity of this technology within the construction industry has made Ground Penetrating Radar a critical tool for damage prevention to identify possible hazards such as cables, rebar, plumbing, and more. While this is the most common application that comes to mind when mentioning GPR services, its capabilities span beyond the damage prevention world.
This technology is widely used across multiple industries, ranging from Geotechnical companies all the way to Engineering and Architectural firms. Its offerings can be packaged as either a large pushcart, which resembles a lawn mower, for soil and utility identification, or a -sized structure scanner designed specifically for concrete applications. When selecting handheld concrete scanning GPR units, first consider the problem attempting to be solved using GPR. Units utilizing a two-part sending and receiving antenna at 2.7GHz are the go-to selection that wants to provide a moderate amount of information on a wide range of projects. This is the most common type of GPR unit used in damage prevention to identify the non-visible utilities within a concrete slab with no direct connection available. Their versatility has quickly made them an industry standard.
Though the two-antenna 2.7GHz unit is often associated with GPR, Ground Penetrating Radar is a generalized term covering a variety of manufacturers, models, and key features. Other examples of GPR units are referred to as Thermal Screening, Induction Ferro-scanning, LiDAR, and Laser Scanning. The above qualifies as non-invasive, non-radioactive, non-destructive units emitting a type of “radar” analyzed based on the contrasts and reflections of their surrounding targets. Some units utilize a single antenna, and others can go up to six antennas, which, when individually selected, can effectively retrieve data from six single antennas with a single swipe!
Selecting the proper type of Ground Penetrating Radar for your project comes down to the dissection of each unit’s respectable capabilities and limitations. Once there is an understanding of where each unit’s benefits begin and end, the choice becomes clear based solely on the scope of work.
The next time you wonder what lies beneath an object's surface or structure, ask yourself if Ground Penetrating Radar is the answer! If you want to learn more about Ground Penetrating Radar – Area Scans, Concrete Scanning, or Private Utility Locating, contact us directly or visit our website at www.AxisDetects.com.