A GPR Survey is a geophysical locating technique that makes use of radio waves to take images of entities below ground level without digging up the soil.
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey, sometimes referred to as a GPRS survey, is a type of underground utility survey which uses radio waves to take images of subsurface objects without digging up the soil.
What is a Ground Penetrating Radar Survey Used for?
GPR surveys are a type of underground utility survey used to find the exact location of natural or man-made objects underground, natural elements or detect changes in the position of those objects by sending high-frequency (40-3440MHz) electromagnetic pulses into the ground to take necessary images.
Land surveyors use key equipment – the transmitter and the antenna – to detect changes in the soil profile, pockets of air, the layout of underground pipelines, rocks, groundwater tables and other geological features. The transmitter – which would be close to the ground – sends radar signals into the ground, and the signals reflected would be detected by the antenna. The signals would be processed and shown on a graphic recorder. Then, as the transmitter and antenna move across the surface being surveyed, the graphic recorder would generate a radar or cross-sectional image of the earth.
What to Expect from a Ground Penetrating Radar Survey?
A successful GPR Survey will produce lines of data that represent the sectional view of the earth’s subsurface. All the lines collected in the specific area would be put together and used to form a 3D image of the surveyed area from the subsurface. The power of GPR surveys in subsurface mapping means non-metallic objects such as plastic pipes, concrete or clay and metallic objects, can be detected and create images of underground infrastructure which can be used by architects, designers and engineers to support their construction project.
Benefits of GPR Surveys
Using advanced technology like Electromagnetic Induction (EMI), as well as GPR, underground utility surveyors choose this type of survey because there are several benefits of conducting a GPR survey for utility mapping.
GPR surveys are highly accurate in their location of both metallic and non-metallic subsurface objects. Surveyors tend to use GPR to conduct these utility mapping surveys because it offers:
- Rapid data acquisition which does not disturb workflow
- Low operation costs, dependent on the size and complexity of the site
- High-resolution image capture of concrete, plastic, metal and natural materials
Whilst GPR surveys can sometimes be affected by soil moisture and oblique measurements, using this type of survey with additional technology like radio detection, can provide a more accurate utility mapping survey result.
Readings from a GPR survey can be up to 90% accurate.
What is the price of a GPR survey?
If you are considering a GPR survey to support your construction project, you may be wondering: how much does a Ground Penetrating Radar survey cost?
The answer depends on the size and complexity of the survey site. A simple site, like an open playing field, could cost around £500 to £700, whereas a more complex site, like an industrial site or hospital site, could cost up to £10,000.
GPR Surveys from Lucion
At Lucion, we understand the importance of ground penetrating radars for utilities surveys. Our GPR surveys offer comprehensive solutions for the detection of metallic and non-metallic utilities, rapid and precise data collection, and expert interpretation and survey drawings. These surveys produce reliable and accurate data so you can complete your construction projects with confidence and ease.
