Ground Penetrating Radar - a ground investigation method applied to utility locating in no-dig technologies

摘要

During the last decade Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) has proved its ability to act as a powerfulrngeophysical tool for subsurface investigations. GPR is a more user friendly and cost-effective tool due tornrecent technological developments. Lower cost and simple operation has increased the practice of GPR inrnthe utility locating market as well as other traditional markets. Deploying GPR methods prior to directionalrndrilling prevents damage to existing utilities, thus resulting in cost effective installations. As a utility detector,rnthe GPR method has several benefits over traditional detectors, based on electromagnetic or magneticrnprinciples. The most striking benefit is the possibility of GPR to detect non-metallic objects such as plasticrnpipes and drums. Another benefit is the fact that the GPR can provide a documentation of the measurementsrnperformed – although the interpretation can be performed in real-time as well. GPR technology is since arnnumber of years well accepted in no-dig applications in the US and is gaining ground in Europe. Fieldrnexamples demonstrate that the GPR technique is a time efficient and accurate method for detection andrnmapping of buried objects and structures. Field example 1 shows real-time, on site detection and example 2rnshows measurements with post-processing analyses.