Ground Penetrating Radar
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) has become an important tool in locating underground utilities and other anomalies below the ground surface. We use GPR primarily for locating non-metallic utilities. This tool is also commonly used this for finding changes in subsurface conditions (trench lines) or underground storage tanks (UST’s). The GPR will also locate metallic utilities but its advantage is finding plastic pipes or conduits.
The GPR has some limitations. Interpretation of the data by a skilled technician is essential. For example, the depth of useful GPR readings is limited in highly conductive soils, such as clay. RHD Services has a lot of experience working in clay soils in the Atlanta area. Our technicians are well trained. We have a factory representative provide annually for in-house GPR training for all of our technicians. The GPR is sometimes the only technology available to determine the location and depth of objects.
GPR is recommended for locating in congested areas and for finding nonmetallic (plastic) objects. These objects include:
- Plastic and metallic pipes and utilities
- Underground storage tanks (UST)
- Foundation and footings
- Landfill and burial trenches
- Gravesites
- And others…
RHD Services began offering GPR services in 2000. We have grown in this field and currently have three Mala Geoscience GPR units. We have experience locating various utilities, underground storage tanks (UST’s), voids in the soil, graves, footings, valves, etc. Some of sites we worked on include Pearl Harbor Navy Base, Guam Naval Hospital, CDC Campus in Atlanta, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Turner Communications, Dobbins ARB, and the Atlanta Water Works.