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At this stage of our exploration into non-destructive testing, we will delve into a type of investigation that has gained significant relevance in recent years for the diagnostic assessment of civil infrastructure safety. These investigations involve the use of ground-penetrating radar (GPR), which employs electromagnetic waves to explore the subsurface and various elements and materials.
The use of electromagnetic waves for subsurface object detection first emerged around the early 1900s but only gained widespread application in the mid-20th century, initially in the field of rock layer investigations and subsequently in lunar explorations. It was in the late 1970s that this technology began finding its way into public services and civil engineering, particularly in the realm of non-destructive testing, such as monitoring and detecting foundations and reinforcement bars.
The applications of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology are extensive and varied. They encompass environmental analysis, subsurface mapping, roads, tunnels, and galleries, underground utilities, archaeology, and forensic investigations. This technology enables detailed subsurface or material information acquisition (radargram) without the need for excavation or drilling. The ease, speed, and reliability of this methodology explain its broad application across diverse fields.
In this article, we will explain how GPR works and recommend two Novatest products for conducting your non-destructive investigations using ground-penetrating radar.
The GPR methodology involves transmitting electromagnetic pulses of varying frequencies from an antenna. These pulses propagate through the surface under investigation, and when they encounter a surface with different characteristics, a portion of those electromagnetic waves reflects back towards the surface, where the receiving antenna captures them. GPR instrumentation also measures the reflection time of the electromagnetic waves, providing important information about any discontinuities present in the examined material.
The detection depth depends on both the material under examination and the frequency of the antenna used. Lower frequencies allow for greater detection depth, while higher frequencies yield better resolution of the radar image of the investigated surface. Consequently, lower frequencies are typically used for detecting targets at greater depths, while higher frequencies are employed to obtain the most detailed radar images possible.
GPR SUBvysor is a mono/multifrequency GPR equipped with Tolbin technology and integrated 3D software.
Would you like to learn more about the technical features and benefits of using GPR SUBvysor? Request a free consultation now!
Cobra CBD GPR is the 200/400/800 MHz multi-frequency wireless ground penetrating radar with a bandwidth from 50 to 1400 MHz.
Would you like to learn more about the technical features and benefits of using GPR Cobra CBD? Request a free consultation now!
In this article, we have presented a non-destructive testing methodology that has found broad application in various sectors in recent years: ground-penetrating radar (GPR). We have explored how the propagation and reflection of electromagnetic waves are useful in detecting objects and discontinuities in the subsurface or other materials, such as concrete or masonry, as we have previously discussed in other articles.
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