Ground penetrating radar and GPR software training

GPR BASIC - sound foundations and independent surveying

For people starting with GPR or looking to organise their existing practice.

• How GPR works, reflections and hyperbolas, and the relationship between frequency, resolution and penetration.
• Equipment preparation, encoder checks, parameter selection and correct profile acquisition.
• Reading a radargram, basic quality assessment and marking observed anomalies.
• Saving a project, recording survey conditions and preparing basic documentation.

GPR ADVANCED - analysis, mapping and data processing

For operators and analysts developing multichannel surveys, interpretation or processing in their own software environment.

• Designing 3D grids and multichannel passes, checking coverage and combining data.
• Georeferencing, positioning integration and coordinate consistency checks.
• Filter selection, velocity analysis and migration using the functions available in the software.
• Time slices, depth slices, spatial interpretation and preparation of CAD/GIS results.

The GPR method and survey design

We turn the technical question into a survey plan. We discuss what reflections can reveal and which conclusions cannot be justified by a radargram alone.

Prepare a survey plan and a list of observations to verify in the field.

• How material properties and site conditions affect data clarity.
• Selecting the antenna, profile direction and sampling density for the targets sought.
• Site reconnaissance, existing documentation and quality-control criteria.

2D acquisition and interpretation on site

We practise acquiring profiles correctly and recognising when settings should be changed or measurements repeated. Individual passes are compared with cross-check profiles.

Record profiles with survey conditions and identify locations needing further investigation.

• Checking the encoder, time window and recording settings.
• Hyperbolas, layer reflections, interference and marking anomalies.
• Estimating depth with the assumed propagation velocity taken into account.

Survey grids, multichannel systems and 3D mapping

We show how the arrangement of survey passes affects later spatial analysis. We work on project consistency from recording survey swaths to reviewing anomalies in several views.

Prepare a project for 3D interpretation with the selected parameters documented.

• Grid design, pass directions, coverage and channel orientation.
• Combining profiles or swaths and checking for gaps in the dataset.
• Time slices, depth slices and correlation with radargrams.

GNSS positioning and georeferencing

We link radar data with position information where the agreed configuration supports it. We also discuss working in a local coordinate system when GNSS reception is difficult or unavailable.

Check georeferencing against reference points and features within the project.

• Coordinate system, position quality and offset between the positioning antenna and GPR.
• Checking the link between a survey pass, coordinates and the map background.
• Verifying project consistency before transferring data to CAD/GIS.

Concrete scanning and documenting targets

Exercises cover scan planning on structural elements and assessing reflections that may represent reinforcement, services or other inhomogeneities. We teach comparison of observations from several directions.

Process a sample scan without treating an absence of reflections as a guarantee of safe drilling.

• Line surveys and grids, and the importance of antenna orientation.
• Marking interpreted elements and relating scans to structural drawings.
• Clear documentation of the survey area with uncertainties and limitations identified.

Pavements, bridges and tunnels

This specialist module covers organising infrastructure surveys and interpreting data appropriate to the particular antenna and platform. Scope is agreed separately for roads, bridge decks and tunnel linings.

Prepare a section or summary of observations that clearly distinguishes measurement from interpretation.

• Designing survey passes, checking distance measurement and documenting acquisition.
• Following layer boundaries and interpreting anomalies in relation to the structure.
• Calibrating estimated layer thickness against reference data where available.

Processing and interpretation checks

We compare input data with the result of each successive operation. A filter is selected for a signal problem rather than for image appearance alone. We check whether processing removes relevant information.

Record a justified processing sequence that can be reproduced on subsequent datasets.

• Time-zero correction, gain, background removal and filtering in the available modules.
• Velocity selection, migration and assessing how parameters affect the result.
• Correlating profiles, slices and interpreted targets, and checking automated suggestions.

Results, export and documentation for the client

We organise the project so that the recipient understands the survey scope, annotations and limits of interpretation. Output formats are selected for the intended use and the software's capabilities.

Prepare a sample deliverable package explaining what was measured and how the data were interpreted.

• Interpretation layers, naming, metadata and keeping source data separate from processed results.
• Exports supported by the agreed software version, including CAD/GIS where available.
• Documenting the method, parameters, survey area and uncertainties.