Ground Penetrating Radar

Ground penetrating radar sends electromagnetic energy into the ground or another material and measures returning signals from subsurface objects and changes. These responses can indicate potential pipes, utilities, tanks, voids, buried materials, and structural features on site. Unlike methods that depend on detectable conductive signals, GPR can help identify certain non-metallic targets and other conditions that radio detection cannot identify through conductive signal detection alone during field investigations.

GPR scanning is non-destructive, so crews can investigate an area without immediately opening the ground to search for hidden obstacles. The equipment can also help estimate the depth of detectable targets, giving field teams additional information for planning excavation, drilling, boring, trenching, coring, or other ground-disturbing activities. Results depend on site conditions, target characteristics, access, interference, and equipment response during active site scanning operations.

Ground penetrating radar has practical value on job sites where underground uncertainty could affect planned work, including fence installation, septic projects, foundation work, directional boring, utility repairs, and commercial construction. It can also assist concrete investigations involving conduits, rebar, and post-tension components before concrete work begins. Combining GPR findings with markings, photographs, mapping, and written job documentation gives crews clearer information for planning their next steps.