Inspection Procedures for Effective GPR Sensing and Mapping of Underground Utilities and Voids, with a Focus to Urban Areas

Abstract

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) has proved its ability to act as a powerful geophysical non-destructive tool for subsurface investigations. The remarkable technological developments have increased, among others, the practice of GPR in sensing and mapping utilities and voids. In particular, GPR is effectively used to locate and map objects such as pipes, drums, tanks, cables and underground features or to detect subsurface voids related to subsidence and erosion of ground materials. Furthermore, deploying GPR methods prior to directional drilling prevents damage to existing utilities, thus resulting in cost effective installations. In that frame, this paper presents some studies showing the GPR performances and limitations, from single-channel systems to the potential of multi-channel 3D imaging and integrating systems.