Ground Penetrating Radar, known by the acronym GPR, has proven to be one of the most important innovations in recent times. It provides those involved in the management of construction projects the option to use a minimally invasive, flexible, and non-destructive way to survey buried objects that can affect work on site.
However, the system and the technology – and its benefits are not widely understood. Many of those involved in the management of construction projects are still relying on ‘old-school’ approaches that rely on blueprints and other legacy schematics. The issue with much of this sort of documentation is that the information it provides can differ markedly from the actual location of underground obstacles.
Here are 5 benefits of Ground Penetrating Radar
1. Excavation is not Required
Prior to the invention of GPR designed for use in construction projects engineers were limited in the ways that they could plan for buried obstructions. Firstly they could rely exclusively on perhaps dated schematics, or they could resort to excavation.
Schematics are notorious for omitting vital information. In some cases, even native burial grounds were excluded from these planning documents. That can cause legal and other complications years down the line – even once the project has reached completion.
There is also the fact that excavation can be tremendously costly – and if it has not been budgeted for can have a tremendously negative impact on a company’s bottom line – not least in terms of missed project milestones and the inevitable penalties. The use of GPR can eliminate these challenges.
Excavation is costly, both in terms of money and time. Avoiding these costs is one thing GPR can do.
2. The use of GPR is Quiet
Any job that requires excavation is going to create a disturbance. It will certainly be loud – and it can also have negative effects on the environment. The disturbance caused by unplanned excavations makes them ideal as a subject for litigation (including over potential property value decline). A lawsuit is something that any company involved in the construction industry would dearly love to avoid.
Ground Penetrating Radar does not cause a noise disturbance. Its use will not affect the daily lives of those near the construction site and does not damage the soil. This makes GPR an ideal technology for use in built-up and urban environments – where many of today’s large construction projects are taking place. Comfortable project neighbors certainly contribute to a successful development.
3. GPR is Suitable for Almost any Environment
The continued technological innovations in Ground Penetrating Radar mean that it is today even more capable of penetrating a variety of materials. It today provides exceptionally detailed and accurate results that provide project management with a clear indication of where underground obstacles are situated – and more information on the nature of these buried obstacles.
Put simply – Ground Penetrating Radar is incredibly versatile and can be used in an almost limitless number of environments.
4. Proactive Approach
By using GPR construction planning becomes more proactive. Ground Penetrating Radar allows planners to identify areas of loose soil or areas that are subject to erosion. This allows architects and designers to plan more effectively, prior to the first groundbreaking.
This sort of approach saves time and money, now and in the future.
5. Prioritizing the Essential
GPR Allows project management to focus on the work that they need to do – the project imperatives. This approach can help when formulating bids that are highly competitive. This in turn affects the ROI in any construction project.