Useful Applications of Ground Penetrating Radar
Ground penetrating
radar (GPR) is state-of-the-art equipment used for exploring the subsurface of
the earth. The cutting-edge imaging technology found in high-end GPR systems measures
electromagnetic wave propagation and echo from the subsurface, which images and
identifies changes in the magnetic and electrical properties beneath the
surface of the earth. Hence, GPR systems are useful in locating underground
utility lines in earth or post tensioning and reinforcing in concrete. Ground
penetrating radar is surprisingly versatile for many other applications,
including forensic research, land surveying, detecting unexploded land mines,
conducting groundwater studies, and monitoring the structural integrity of airplane
runways.
GPR is useful in many
different fields. It is used to study ice, groundwater, soil, and bedrock under
earth sciences and it may be helpful in finding diamonds and gold nuggets in
alluvial gravel beds. In that case, ground penetrating radar is used to find
natural traps in stream beds where heavy particles can accumulate. Space
exploration has found some use for GPR, Yutu a Chinese lunar rover had a GPR on
board to investigate the moon’s crust and soil.
Engineering applications for ground
penetrating radar include locating buried utility lines and structures, non-destructive
testing of pavements and structures, and identifying the characteristics of
bedrock and soil. GPR is used in environmental remediation to determine the
best sites for landfills and contaminant plumes. In archaeology, ground
penetrating radar is helpful in mapping cemeteries, finding buried structures,
and determining archaeological features. In law enforcement, GPR is valuable
for finding buried evidence and locating unidentified or unmarked graves.
The military uses
ground penetrating radar to find tunnels and mines. The reason why GPR is
preferred for these applications is due to its speedy ability to acquire and
produce data compared to other conventional geophysical methods. Hence,
operators can easily and quickly produce measurements repeatedly, which can be
crucial when determining rapid changes.
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