Georadar – New Service ETP

ByMarta Lampreia

The ETP recently created a service based on the equipment it acquired, the GPR Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) or Georadar . 

This service is born from the combination of the experience and know-how of ETP technicians with the potential of this geophysical technique. Right from the start, our team is ready and capable of responding to challenges in this area. In this context, we carry out surveys, in a non-invasive and non-destructive manner, of natural or artificial objects and structures present underground.

What is Ground Penetrating Radar?

O GPR Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is above all a non-invasive and non-destructive geophysical survey instrument that uses the difference in dielectric constants (K) of materials to detect objects and structures underground.

On the one hand, GPR consists of a radar antenna with a transmitting unit (Tx), which transmits energy to the ground in the form of electromagnetic waves (10MHz to 1016MHz), and on the other hand, a receiving unit (Rx), which captures the waves reflected by objects or structures in the subsurface with dielectric values different from the surrounding medium.

In this way, the equipment records the bidirectional travel time of the signal. Additionally, it uses this time to calculate the depth and position of a given object or structure underground. The comparison of the nanosecond times with the signal amplitudes results in two-dimensional sections known as radiograms.

Applications for this service

Due to its characteristics, GPR is the ideal geophysical prospecting tool for subsurface investigation, applicable to various areas such as Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, Archaeology, Forensic Science, Cadastral Surveying, and Civil Engineering.

In summary, ground-penetrating radar can be used to detect:

  • Rock and soil structures (soil layers, rock masses, fill deposits);
  • Cavities and fractures (caves, cracks, subsidences);
  • Groundwater (water tables, water infiltration);
  • Buried structures (pipelines, conduits, cables);
  • Built structures (pavement thickness/condition, rebar);
  • Archaeological artifacts.

Advantages of using Ground Penetrating Radar

Among the various advantages of using this geophysical exploration equipment, it is important to highlight:

  • Cost Reduction – Ideal for preliminary, low-cost prospecting before opting for more expensive methods
  • Logistics – Application in situations and locations where the nature of the environment prevents or hinders the use of direct prospecting methods and other geophysical means. Small, lightweight, and highly maneuverable equipment
  • Non-destructive and non-invasive testing – Ideal for surveys where there are conditions and/or restrictions on altering the surroundings, e.g., urban areas
  • Precise location and detection – Enables the in-depth location and recognition of objects and structures with a margin of error of just 10%.
  • 2D and 3D Visualization – Processing the obtained data also enables 2D and 3D visualization of the performed mapping, allowing for the production of georeferenced cartography of the recognized objects and structures.