Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a valuable subsurface exploration tool used to locate anomalies in the subsurface. GPR is commonly used to locate utilities, underground storage tanks, wells, concrete reinforcement, voids, grave sites and other anomalous subsurface materials. ACER’s GPR systems consist of a transceiver, cables, and associated electronics. As the transceiver moves across the ground, radio wave pulses are transmitted downward into the subsurface. Wave pulses that encounter materials with different electrical properties than the propagating media (like soil) are reflected back to the receiver. The greater the difference in the electric properties of the soil and the object the stronger the reflection will appear in the processed data.

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Cannon-Masten House Ground Penetrating Radar Survey

As part of an archaeological investigation, ground penetrating radar (GPR) was used to identify subsurface features associated with the property’s historic use. GPR data was collected with a SIR-3000 GPR System utilizing a...

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The GPR system control unit and transducer/antenna are mounted on a wheeled cart that is manually driven by the GPR operator. As the transciever moves across the surface the control unit screen displays the data (in real-time) which allows immediate interpretation of the data and accurate field location of the subsurface anomalies. Effective depth of penetration ranges from about one foot in moist clay to 50 feet or more, in dry granular rocks and sediments. A variety of antenna frequencies are used depending on the target dimensions and depth of the survey.

GPR surveys can be conducted using precise GPS data collection with an accuracy of 1 centimeter. Using the field data collected 2D and 3D color intensity maps can be created for display in GIS, KML/KMZ or CADD file formats. The most common uses of GPR include the following: