Geophysical Radar (GPR) Locating:

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a valuable tool for contractors working in today’s complex utility world. AirX makes analyzing the underground infrastructure more accessible than ever, utilizing Screening Eagle Radars for locating. The platform is a two-step interface tool specifically designed for utility locating. It scans the space, exports images in two and three dimensions as a KMZ or Shape Files, utilizes GPS for mapping, and is lightweight for portability.

Screening Eagle is the most accurate Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system on the market for the non-destructive identification of all types of subsurface utilities. The system utilizes a step frequency transception the width of the band the FCC allows for this type of equipment. This system provides the real-time horizontal and vertical detection of subsurface objects and stores all of the information in the cloud for immediate access by report drafters and clients.

Concrete Scanning and Inspection
It uses a 400 MHz cascading scale to 4000 MHz antennae to identify reinforcing steel and conduit within concrete structures before cutting or coring. Collect quantifiable data on rebar location and areas of deterioration as well as thickness of cover and clear space

Utility Scanning Inspection

The equipment uses an antenna that cascades from 3400 MHz to 40 MHz in 10 MHz increments. This information is displayed with shallower structures in great detail and annotates deeper larger structures in reasonable detail. All data is globally positioned when enabled for accurate map-making.

Interactive 3D software

The software has both 2D and 3D determination and manipulation and can be exported into an ESRI or AutoCAD platform from the cloud. The data can be overlaid onto GIS maps in concert with other exported data such as a KMZ file giving more competent data at specific locations if desired.

Limitations:

AIRX makes every effort to locate the specified utilities in the requested area in the time allowed. Some limitations exist with locating methods based on the type of soil conditions: Heavy cobble, groundwater, angular rock or dense clay soil conditions, and buried debris that may confuse the data. Closely aligned nearly parallel facilities may distort the surface field and yield phantoms or null fields. Every bit of information can be valuable when locating and AIRX requests access to as many as-built drawings, designs, and renovation plans as acquirable.

Depths determined by radar are fairly accurate, to within +5%. To attain accurate depths potholing must still be done. Radar does require a skilled eye in target discrimination and the data can be displayed in two or three dimensions. In the photo below a grid has been laid out as noted by all of the white dots on the pavement. The radar antenna passes over the dots building the subsurface image. This is mandatory for untracked GPS data, however, in Free Wheel mode the Screening Eagle system can generate subsurface 2D and 3D images grid free. This saves time for the operator and money for the client while delivering a superior product.

The GPR Controller & Antenna

The pulse of the radar energy that the antenna sends into the ground is triggered by the control unit which contains all the electronics necessary to create and monitor this pulse.

A hard disk / SSD Drive is built into the control unit so that data is able to be stored for examination after the fieldwork is performed. The antenna is also important as it receives the electrical pulse coming from the control unit. It then amplifies this frequency and sends it into the ground or the top surface materials contributing to a major factor in depth penetration. The higher the frequency, the shallower into the ground you will see penetration. A higher frequency will see smaller targets as well.

Choosing an Antenna is therefore one of the most important factors in survey design.