GPR survey

Amongst wide variety of GPR survey applications Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey can be commissioned for detecting utilities, rebar, voids, subsidence, unmarked graves, geological layers, archaeological sites, tree roots, badger tunnels and/or buried obstructions etc.

When it comes to GPR for detecting utilities, the survey will provide the information about the location of buried pipes or cables. The information of the nature of the detected services will however involve using electromagnetic locator EML, lifting manhole covers and tracing the services which are all services we offer as a standard utility survey or PAS128 utility survey depending on your needs.

Structural GPR survey such as rebar GPR survey typically involves scanning concrete slab or column will be able to locate the reinforcement but also provide information about rebar diameter, depth of concrete cover, potential void(s) under the rebar, and slab thickness (only when scanning concrete slab of course).

On occasion we will have an unusual request for Ground Penetrating Radar survey such as GPR survey of canal lock to detect voids which had to be performed from a boat. We will always accommodate our customer needs as long as they are positively evaluated against practicality and Health and Safety regulations.

GPR survey is priced on a project-by-project basis. Since the applications of GPR and project sizes vary greatly it is not practical or even possible to provide the exact cost of a GPR survey.

The price of a GPR survey will depend on the site work, the amount of office interpretation and whether a report is needed.

The best way to learn the price of GPR survey for your project is to send us an email or use either a contact form or ‘Get a quote’ form on our website and provide all the necessary information for producing an estimate. Such information would be what GPR survey you require, details about the site location and site condition, the schedule of your project, any other relevant info that you believe should be taken into consideration.

Our team will than asses all information you provided and will get back to you with a GPR survey estimate. The more information you will give us the easier it would be for our team to produce the most accurate quote.

On occasion it might be necessary for us to visit the site before offering you an estimate or it can be requested by a customer. Visiting site before providing a quote is free of charge if within reasonable distance. Long distance travel or travelling abroad to provide an estimate will incur a fee.

The biggest advantage of GPR imaging is its non-destructive character (in short, NDT) which means that the scanned surface is not being damaged during scanning with GPR. We also use temporary paint on site so once those wash away there will be no visible markings left.

Being able to see underneath the surface without breaking the ground is not only practical but will save you money for (likely) already expensive project. GPR survey is cheaper than core drilling service. Also, by commissioning GPR survey you will avoid costs associated with fixing broken ground, even more expensive- those caused by disruption and the delays to your site schedule or in the worst-case scenario, cost of repairs for structural damage to the building if eg. the post-tension cable is damaged during drilling.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey has been used commercially since 1970s and up to this day it is reliable and popular method of obtaining information about sub-surface environment.

GPR survey consists of two parts: on site data collection and post office processing and data interpretation.

The first stage of the GPR survey is on site data collection. The surveyors will arrive to site and in first instance review of the area to understand the most appropriate method for surveying and referencing.

Once the equipment is assembled and calibrated the GPR surveyors will start scanning the site. All reasonable efforts will be made to scan the area within the survey boundary using GPS for georeferencing the path of the radar or by plotting an orthogonal grid. Necessary notes will be taken on site by the surveyors to facilitate inputting collected data into the GPR software in the office. Once the data is collected and saved for the office-based processing and interpretation the equipment will be disassembled and the surveyors will leave the site.

The second stage of GPR survey is office-based processing and interpretation. The data is typically processed by the same surveyor who was collecting it on site but on occasion in might be another geophysicist. Once the data is correctly inputted into the processing software and necessary filters applied the experienced geophysicist will interpret it based on their expertise and experience.

The results of the interpretation will then be cleaned in the AutoCAD software to produce an easy-to-read drawing for a customer.