Thursday, March 17, 2022
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for Any Application with Russell NDE
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for Concrete floors, walls and ceilings
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is one of the most useful innovations in the field of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), allowing operators to detect, analyze, and evaluate objects inside concrete floors, walls and ceilings. GPR can be used to identify hidden power lines, heating tubes, rebar, post-tension cables, and other internal obstacles in a wide variety of settings. For building renovations, GPR is one of the most efficient and cost-effective testing methods available today.
With over 50 years of experience in non-destructive testing, Russell NDE proudly offers GPR Surveying as part of our comprehensive testing product and service offerings. Read on to learn more about the benefits of ground-penetrating radar, as well as partnering with Russell NDE for all of your NDT needs.
How GPR Works
Ground Penetrating Radar uses low-level electromagnetic radiation to detect and analyze buried or encased structures. GPR operates using transmitting and receiving antennas. To record data, the GPR unit will transmit pulses into the concrete, recording echoes and reflections caused by objects beneath the surface. Using the data created by these pulses, GPR can quickly generate a detailed 2D or 3D map of subsurface objects, voids, and other features not visible from the surface. In short, GPR yields a roadmap of features, structures, and obstacles that are otherwise undetectable.
Where GPR Can Be Used
There are near-countless applications for Ground Penetrating Radar. In particular, GPR is the ideal solution where cutting large windows in a concrete structure is either impossible or highly undesirable for efficiency, cost, or safety reasons.
Many construction projects utilize GPR to evaluate subsurface conditions in residential, commercial, and industrial structures, particularly when evaluating rebar patterns, identifying and placing utility lines and conduits, and locating voids or other hazards encased in concrete. Access to the concrete can be from just one side.
Additionally, there are numerous other applications for GPR across different sectors, including (but not limited to):
- Highway Surveying
- Archaeology
- Environmental Study & Remediation (evaluating soils, bedrock, potential contaminants, etc.)
- Forensic Sciences (locating clandestine graves and buried evidence)
The Benefits of GPR
First and foremost, GPR poses significantly fewer safety hazards than many other testing methods. Because it does not require excavation, it eliminates the risk of cutting into unseen utility lines, data wires, or countless other hazards to your equipment and crew. Additionally, the electromagnetic radiation used by GPR is not harmful to nearby people, meaning it can be used safely in high-traffic environments (unlike radiography and many other testing technologies).
Next, GPR provides highly detailed information, thanks to its ability to analyze subsurface objects at varying depths with extreme accuracy, even in congested spaces. GPR can see through up to 12" of concrete, making it easy to image pipes and utility trays, and the resulting colour maps give you a thorough representation of what lies beneath.
Finally, GPR is a highly efficient testing method, making it extremely useful when you need results quickly. A GPR test takes significantly less time than excavation or other NDT inspection methods, allowing your operation to save time and money while still getting thorough, accurate information on your site.
Ground Penetrating Radar with Russell NDE
Russell NDE proudly offers complete Ground Penetrating Radar services suitable for a wide variety of applications and use cases. Our GPR services provide operations of all sizes and scopes with fast, accurate insight enabling safe and effective work throughout your next project. Key features include:
- Rapid Execution: 24" x 24" scans can be completed in minutes
- Total Visibility through up to 12" of concrete floor pads
- Cost-effective, low labour component
- Shippable, light instrumentation
- Special detection of power cables and heating pipes with aux detectors
- Self-contained, quiet operation
In addition to GPR services, Russell NDE proudly supplies industry-leading technology and services for safe, reliable NDT inspection. No matter what your next project needs, you can rely on Russell NDE for fast, reliable value-adding inspections.
Ready to Get Started?
Contact us today to learn about Russell NDE's complete GPR services.