HIGH-PRODUCTIVITY NIGHTTIME GPR AT BARCELONA AIRPORT

At GPR3D, we have developed a solution based on the Proceq GS8000 equipment, with the aim of covering long distances using a motor vehicle. This equipment is towed at a speed of 20 km/h, acquiring subsurface data that allows us to observe the different layers of asphalt pavement, granular material, and potential affected utilities.

In recent weeks, we have been acquiring data at Barcelona Airport, known as Josep Tarradellas Airport. Our GPR scanned a projected path both inside and outside the runways to study potential structures and utilities that might interfere during excavation.

As usual, engineering firms hire GPR services before opening a trench to study potential utility interferences. Receiving a report with georeferenced plans of all interferences or utilities such as: drainage pipes, water pipes, electrical cables, telecommunications, old structures, galleries, etc., is essential for the correct execution of the works.

Having all these elements precisely marked prevents damage to existing utilities during the execution of the works, especially in large facilities where cutting off services to operate is not possible. Choosing the optimal route during the design phase leads to cost reductions in the execution phase and minimizes risks during excavation.

Adapting to our client's requirements, on this occasion, when working on the airport runways, we had to work at night with low visibility and long-distance profiles ranging from 25 to 700 meters, with limited time and interruptions due to airplanes in the middle of landing.

Thanks to our powerful Proceq GS8000 equipment towed by the vehicle, we were able to acquire GPR data at high speed over large areas of terrain, asphalt, and grass, without losing quality in data acquisition and positioning all geophysical data with centimeter accuracy. Furthermore, thanks to Screening Eagle's navigation technology, we can follow the trench path without visibility and make the necessary parallel passes from inside the vehicle.

The data from Barcelona Airport has been processed in the cloud and delineated in CAD format at our office, delivering a detailed report in the format requested by our client.