Ground penetrating radar as an alternative to radiography

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is becoming an increasingly popular method for concrete inspection. Traditionally, radiography has been utilised by industry professionals who need to determine what is embedded in concrete. GPR provides an alternative to radiography with several distinct advantages including rapid surveying of a concrete slab and minimal disruption to the surrounding areas. The basic principle of operation is to transmit a broadband high-frequency electromagnetic (EM) pulse into the concrete and detect the reflected pulse. GPR not only locates objects in concrete, it also provides quantifiable parameters on these objects, such as rebar depth, rebar spacing and slab thickness.