Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR): An Overview
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a geophysical imaging
technique that uses radar pulses to map the subsurface. GPR works by sending a
high-frequency electromagnetic pulse into the ground and then measuring the
reflected signals that bounce back. The reflected signals are then used to
create a detailed image of the subsurface features, including the location and
depth of buried objects, soil layers, and even underground utilities.
GPR is used extensively in a variety of industries,
including construction, mining, and archaeology. In construction, GPR is used
to locate buried utilities, such as water pipes and electrical cables, before
excavation work begins. This helps to avoid accidental damage to these
utilities, which can be costly and time-consuming to repair.
In mining, GPR is used to locate mineral deposits and
geological features that are hidden beneath the surface. This allows mining
companies to explore and extract resources more efficiently and effectively.
In archaeology, GPR is used to map buried structures and
artifacts without the need for excavation. This allows archaeologists to get a
better understanding of the site before any digging takes place, reducing the
risk of damage to valuable artifacts.
GPR is also used in environmental studies, such as mapping
soil layers and groundwater resources. It can help to identify areas that are
at risk of erosion, landslides, or flooding, providing valuable information for
land-use planning and disaster mitigation efforts.
One of the main advantages of GPR is its non-invasive
nature. Unlike traditional excavation techniques, GPR can provide detailed
information about subsurface features without the need for digging. This
reduces the cost and time involved in exploration and construction projects,
while also minimizing the environmental impact.
However, GPR is not without its limitations. The quality of
the data obtained from GPR can be affected by various factors, such as the type
of soil and the presence of other materials that can interfere with the electromagnetic
waves. GPR is also limited in its depth range, with the maximum depth of
penetration depending on the frequency of the radar signal used.
In conclusion, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a valuable
geophysical imaging technique that has a wide range of applications across
various industries. Its non-invasive nature makes it an attractive option for
exploration and construction projects, while its ability to map subsurface
features provides valuable insights for environmental and archaeological studies.
Despite its limitations, GPR continues to be an important tool for exploring and
understanding the subsurface.
The demand for Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) has been
increasing steadily, and as a result, there has been a rise in demand for GPR
software as well. The data collected by GPR equipment and analyzed by software
provides valuable insights to users in both 2D and 3D formats. However, 3D GPR
data offers even greater clarity and context. With 3D data, users can generate
multi-scan slice overlays, analyze data slices by rotating and zooming, adjust
transparency, generate depth slices, and more. Therefore, the inclusion of
these advanced features is expected to create growth opportunities for GPR software
in the coming years.
Market Dynamics of Ground Penetrating Radar Industry
DRIVERS in Ground
Penetrating Radar Market
The global GPR equipment market is primarily driven by the
high demand for utility safety and damage protection. GPR is widely used as an
underground utility locator as it has the ability to detect both metallic and
non-metallic utilities. This includes water and wastewater transit pipes, gas
pipes, conduits, polythene, fiber-optic cables, and other underground utilities
that are difficult or impossible to detect by other means. GPR can also detect
leaks in pipes and voids, and provide accurate depth information about these
damages. Furthermore, GPR equipment helps prevent or minimize potential damage
to buried utilities during excavation and digging processes, reducing repair
and maintenance costs, delays, and service disruption. Additionally, GPR
equipment helps identify the physical characteristics and exact location of
underground utilities, enabling asset owners to provide continued services and
minimize costs.
RESTRAINTS in Ground Penetrating
Radar Market
However, the performance of GPR equipment can be negatively
impacted by various factors, which can act as a restraint on market growth.
While GPR can accurately identify the horizontal positioning of targets in
their exact locations, there are several other factors that can affect the
speed and accuracy of depth measurement and analysis. Soil type, moisture
content, and other geological factors can affect the velocity of the radar
signal and accuracy of the GPR analysis and interpretation. For instance, soil
types that are difficult to penetrate such as clay and sand surfaces can slow
down the signal velocity, while moisture content in materials can also affect
signal velocity. As a result, it can be challenging to estimate the exact
velocity with which the GPR signal travels through a material, making it
generally estimated to be 90% accurate. Therefore, the soil type and moisture
content can affect the GPR analysis and interpretation, presenting a challenge
for the market.
OPPORTUNITIES in
Ground Penetrating Radar Market
The increasing demand for detection and investigation
equipment in the military industry is driving the growth of Ground Penetrating
Radar (GPR) systems worldwide. GPR technology is being used by the military to
identify the location and detection of buried explosive devices, as well as to
locate embedded wires and cables in structures. Additionally, the use of GPR in
identifying the location of buried bunkers, tunnels, and caches is also
becoming more common. One example is the US Army's order of GPR systems in May
2020, to detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs) buried in roadways.
Chemring Sensors and Electronics Systems (CSES) in Dulles, Virginia was awarded
the contract to build the Husky Mounted Detection System (HMDS) kits, spare
parts, maintenance, and training for the US Army.
Moreover, GPR technology provides a sense of human motion
through walls and underground, making it useful for intrusion detection. All of
these applications of GPR equipment in the military sector have resulted in
significant growth opportunities for the market.
CHALLENGES in Ground
Penetrating Radar Market
One of the challenges faced in the use of Ground Penetrating
Radar (GPR) is the requirement for skilled professionals to operate the
equipment. In the process of locating underground utilities, field inspectors
need to have a thorough understanding of the construction and operations of the
underground utility systems, as well as the relevant policies and procedures.
Additionally, they should possess knowledge of computer- and software-related
operations to gather accurate information on the physical characteristics and
location of the utilities. In some underdeveloped and developing markets, there
may be a lack of knowledge related to electronic or manual GPR equipment and
field survey procedures, making it a tedious task for field officers to locate
utilities accurately. Hence, the need for skilled professionals to operate GPR
equipment remains a challenge in some markets.
The handheld GPR system market is expected to grow
significantly during the forecast period. These systems are particularly useful
in the concrete inspection industry, where they can locate rebars, conduits,
post-tension cables, and voids, and determine concrete slab thickness in
real-time. Their compact design makes concrete inspection easy in tight spaces
or above-head survey locations. These systems feature an all-in-one concrete
inspection tool, with the antenna, positioning system, and control unit
combined into a single, easy-to-maneuver package. The entire series is
user-friendly, lightweight, and has no cables, boxes, or heavy equipment,
making it easy to move seamlessly between job sites. Advanced software
solutions aid in target detection, visualizing targets as a small dot when the
characteristics of rebar or conduit are identified. Leading companies in the
handheld GPR system market include Hexagon AB, SPX Corporation, Geophysical
Survey Systems, Inc., Chemring Group PLC, and Hilti.
The forecast period projects the transportation
infrastructure market to experience the highest compound annual growth rate
(CAGR). Transportation infrastructure pertains to several areas including
highways, rail, bridges, airports, ports, canals, and tunnels. There is a
growing demand for condition assessment of transportation infrastructure using
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). GPR equipment is utilized for nondestructive
evaluation of bridge decks, parking decks, and other structures to assess the
extent of deterioration. Pavement scanning, pavement forensics, buried target
location, and sinkholes and void detections are among the applications of GPR
equipment. Additionally, bridge deck deterioration and bridge forensics are also
assessed using GPR.
The Asia Pacific market is expected to show the highest CAGR
during the forecast period. The region is experiencing rapid structural
development, with China and Japan being at the forefront of this trend. The
Chinese government has plans to invest in various infrastructural development projects,
particularly transportation and railway infrastructure. To raise funds for
these projects, local governments issue special-purpose bonds (SPBs). Given
China's frequent natural disasters such as earthquakes and landslides, it is
crucial to monitor and inspect structures in real-time. To ensure safety, the
government and various regional authorities are implementing monitoring systems
in structures. For example, FBG-instrumented anchor bolts were installed to
monitor the Xiaolongtan slope in Yunnan, while FBG-instrumented strain tubes
were installed in the Erlangmiao landslide, which crosses oil and gas pipelines
in China, to monitor subsurface displacements.
Key Market Players of Ground Penetrating Radar Industry
- HEXAGON AB
- SPX CORPORATION
- GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY SYSTEMS, INC.
- GUIDELINE GEO
- CHEMRING GROUP PLC
- JAPAN RADIO CO., LTD.
- HILTI
- SCREENING EAGLE TECHNOLOGIES
- PIPEHAWK PLC
- KONTUR
- IMPULSERADAR
- US RADAR INC.
- TRANSIENT TECHNOLOGIES
- GEOSCANNERS AB
- GEOTECH
- GPR, INC.
- OKM GMBH
- SUBSITE ELECTRONICS
- NOVATEST SRL
- SEWERVUE
Recent Developments in Ground Penetrating Radar Market
The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) market has seen recent
developments with various companies introducing new solutions to meet the needs
of utility professionals. In May 2022, IDS GeoRadar s.r.l. unveiled their
latest solution, AiMaps, which uses cloud-processing of GPR data to provide
accurate and timely information for detecting underground utilities. Similarly,
Sensors & Software Inc. released SPIDAR SDK, a software development kit
that allows users to control a GPR with their own data acquisition and data
processing software. This enables them to use GPRs in their own platforms. In
September 2021, Guideline Geo introduced the MALA Easy Locator Core, which is
designed for utility locating and can navigate through tough terrains with ease.
These developments highlight the continued growth and innovation in the GPR
market.
The ground penetrating radar (GPR) market has witnessed
several recent developments aimed at enhancing its capabilities and expanding
its application areas. For instance, in June 2021, Geophysical Survey Systems,
Inc. (GSSI) launched its new GPR system, the PaveScan RDM 2.0, which is
designed for detecting pavement thickness and identifying possible
deficiencies. The system uses a high-frequency antenna that can penetrate
concrete and asphalt pavements, enabling accurate and efficient data
collection.
In January 2021, IDS GeoRadar, a subsidiary of Hexagon AB,
launched the Stream EM, a new GPR system for underground utility detection and
mapping. The system uses a multi-frequency antenna that can detect and locate
buried utilities, such as pipes and cables, up to 10 meters deep. The Stream EM
also features real-time data processing and visualization capabilities,
allowing users to quickly identify potential hazards and reduce the risk of damage
to buried infrastructure.
Moreover, in March 2021, Sensors & Software Inc.
announced the release of its new GPR system, the LMX100. The system uses a
novel ultra-wideband antenna that can capture high-resolution data at depths of
up to 6 meters. The LMX100 also features advanced imaging algorithms that can
generate 3D images of subsurface structures, providing users with enhanced insight
into underground features.
These recent developments in GPR technology have enabled
more accurate and efficient detection and mapping of subsurface structures and
utilities. As a result, the GPR market is expected to continue growing as new
applications and industries adopt this technology for their operations.
1.
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