Locating underground structures without digging, probing, or drilling can be accomplished using non-destructive geophysical field surveys. The most common non-destructive methods used for locating underground structures are ground penetrating radar and electromagnetic conductivity. Both methods use equipment that is portable and can be easily mobilized to any location in the world.

Types of Underground Structures that can be located:

• underground tunnels
• old foundations
• pre-existing underground structures
• archeological structures
• mine tunnels and shafts
• utilities, storage tanks (UST), & drums

Ground Penetrating Radar Surveys

A ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey is typically conducted to locate underground objects and structures. A GPR survey can locate structures, made of any type of material such as metal, concrete, or plastic (PVC), or detect void spaces and open tunnels.

The GPR survey produces cross sectional information in pictorial form. The pictures and image below show how a GPR survey is conducted and the results that can be obtained:

Electromagnetic Conductivity Surveys

Another geophysical field survey method typically conducted to locate metal underground objects and structures is an electromagnetic conductivity (EM) survey. The EM survey is rapid and can locate metal objects and underground structures in a short time frame. Photos of the EM-31 and EM-61 instruments are shown below, along with an example of the results obtained from a metal detection survey that located a metal underground utility line:

GeoModel, Inc. conducts surveys in every state.

Contact us to check the availability of a crew in your state.

Click here for worldwide surveys

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