What is ground penetrating radar (GPR) and how does it work?

SoftDig’s ground penetrating radar services use radar pulses to detect underground changes in material density. This allows accurate GPR utility mapping services to locate buried utilities, voids, and subsurface structures safely and efficiently.

How deep can ground penetrating radar detect underground utilities?

In ideal soil conditions, ground penetrating radar for utilities can detect objects up to 15–20 feet deep. Depth depends on soil type, moisture, and radar frequency used during the scan.

What materials or surfaces can ground penetrating radar scan through?

GPR services for underground utilities can scan through concrete, asphalt, soil, ice, and rock. In wet or conductive soils, SoftDig may combine ground penetrating radar utility locating with vacuum excavation for more accurate results.

Can ground penetrating radar detect the size and shape of underground voids or cavities?

Yes. Ground penetrating radar services can measure the size, shape, and depth of underground voids or cavities. This information helps engineers assess soil stability and prevent subsurface hazards.

What are the limitations of ground penetrating radar?

GPR utility mapping services are less effective in wet or clay-rich soils where radar signals weaken. SoftDig combines ground penetrating radar for utilities with private utility locating or Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) to ensure comprehensive mapping accuracy.

Is ground penetrating radar safe and non-destructive?

Yes. Ground penetrating radar is completely safe and non-destructive. It uses radio waves to map underground utilities and structures without excavation or damage.

What does ground penetrating radar show?

Ground penetrating radar shows a subsurface profile indicating objects such as pipes, cables, voids, and structural elements. SoftDig’s GPR utility mapping services interpret these reflections for accurate underground data.

How much does a ground penetrating radar survey cost?

Most ground penetrating radar services cost between $500 and $1,500 depending on project scope and site conditions. SoftDig provides detailed estimates for GPR services for underground utilities based on each project’s requirements.

When should I use ground penetrating radar instead of utility locating?

Use ground penetrating radar utility locating when traditional methods can’t detect non-metallic or deeply buried objects. GPR is ideal for concrete scanning and detecting plastic or clay pipes, while private utility locating is better for metallic utilities.

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Exact Underground Mapping with Ground Penetrating Radar

Ground Penetrating Radar Services

SoftDig® uses advanced ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to accurately map buried utilities, tanks, geology and other subsurface structures without digging. GPR directs electromagnetic waves into the ground, which reflect off buried objects and reveal their position.

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What we do

Pinpoint Underground Utilities

We analyze these reflections to generate detailed utility maps and 3D models. Key benefits versus digging blindly include non-destructive investigation for asset management, avoiding accidental service interruptions, rapidly scanning large areas, achieving precision to 10+ feet deep, and locating nonmetallic pipes ignored by EM locators.

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Advantages

Informed Planning for Any Project

Our GPR models precisely identify utility lines, storage tanks, archaeological remnants, voids, and environmental factors for planning earthworks. We serve contractors, facility owners, government agencies, and engineers across applications, including comprehensive site mapping, congested utility coordination, concrete scanning, landfill and brownfield assessment, pipeline inspection, and historic preservation.

Superior Subsurface Visibility

Trust SoftDig® GPR services for reliable visibility of your property’s underground space. Discover what lies beneath the surface before shovels hit the dirt on your next project.

Oil & Gas

Electrical Distribution & Transmission

Department of Transporation (DOT)

Telecommunications

Renewable Energy

Commercial

Military

Education

Environmental

Healthcare

Construction

Athletic Complexes & Stadium

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Relevant Projects

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Department of Transportation

Delaware DOT

Overview Softdig does a lot of work for the transportation industry. Our Delaware department of transportation project consisted of designating and creating GIS maps of all utilities along 5 miles of a highway for design of roadway upgrades. This stretch of road was located in Kent County. Delaware.

Commercial

American Dream Meadowlands

Overview The American Dream Meadowlands project at The American Dream retail and entertainment complex located in East Rutherford, New Jersey covers 91 acres and is an example of a commercial industry job. On this job site, Softdig offered services such as utility mapping to recognized areas such as the amusement park and proposed hotel location.

Department of Transportation

Atascosa County Line

Overview The Atascosa County Line project was completed in West Tilden, Texas. For this project Softdig reviewed and updated existing utility layouts provided by the state by utility mapping and GPS surveying. Within 180,000 linear feet of data, there were 25 test holes performed that ranged between 0-5 feet, 10 test holes that were 5-8 feet and 2 test holes that were 8-13 feet.

Airports

BWI Airport

Overview One assignment that falls into our Airport Industry category is the BWI Airport project. The BWI Airport is located just outside Baltimore, Maryland. This project required excavating test holes to locate existing utilities adjacent to runways for re-grading. This work is performed at night, during weekends and shut down periods. In order to map the entire underground infrastructure a total 91 test holes were dug.

Department of Transportation

Camp Arrowhead

Overview Softdig’s Camp Arrowhead project was completed in a few locations the main job was completed at the intersection of State Route 24 and Camp Arrowhead Road in Lewes, Delaware. This project consisted of utility mapping an area greater than 12,000 linear feet. Softdig also performed 7 manhole and catch basin reports. Lastly, Softdig’s crew hand sketched all of the utilities that were mapped and turned them into a digital deliverable that is ready to be analyzed.

Research Facilities

Chestnut Run Renaissance Project

Overview The Chestnut Run Renaissance project falls under the research facilities industry. For this project we designated and located utilities for building, roadway, and infrastructure improvements to R & D Campus in Wilmington, Delaware. This work was performed under active construction and Softdig had to comply with the strict timeline set.

Environmental Remediation

Clearview Landfill

Overview Softdig has work history in the industry of Environmental Remediation. For our Clearview Landfill project located in Eastwick, Pennsylvania, Softdig’s job was to provide markout, GIS analysis, marking, and digitally mapping. Softdig compiled maps of the area for the protection of existing utilities during extensive soil sampling and groundwater testing operations.

Department of Transportation

Duval County Line

Overview During our Duval County Line project located in Kent County, Delaware, Softdig preformed utility mapping of an area of about 22.495 linear feet. In this area there were a total of 97 test holes dug, measured, detailed, and replaced. 62 of these manholes were 0-5 feet deep, 32 were 5 to 8 feet deep and 3 were 8 feet to 13 feet deep. Working with a little over 4 miles these test holes were done with precision and accuracy.

Energy

National Energy Technology Laboratory

Overview For Softdig’s National Energy Technology Laboratory project Softdig located utilities, performed test holes, and surveyed across both sites. Even though the project is finished, Softdig continually maintains and adds information to a working site plan that can be utilized for multiple projects. The location for this site is Morgantown, West Virginia.

Commercial

Hemisfair Park

Overview Softdig’s Hemisfair Park project was a commercial industry job. At this job Softdig located at already performed test holes to find utilities for designing upgrades that will change this park into a full urban district with multiple parks, residences, and local businesses. This project was based in San Antonio, Texas.

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FAQs

What is ground penetrating radar (GPR) and how does it work?
SoftDig’s ground penetrating radar services use high-frequency radar pulses to detect changes beneath the surface. The reflected signals reveal the location of underground structures, helping our team perform accurate GPR utility mapping services and identify utilities, voids, and buried objects safely and efficiently.
How deep can ground penetrating radar detect underground utilities?
Depth varies based on soil type, moisture, and radar frequency. In ideal conditions, ground penetrating radar for utilities can detect objects up to 15–20 feet deep. SoftDig’s technicians fine-tune GPR settings to provide precise results across soil, asphalt, and concrete.
What materials or surfaces can ground penetrating radar scan through?
GPR services for underground utilities can scan through concrete, asphalt, soil, rock, and even ice. However, water-saturated ground can limit radar depth. When this happens, SoftDig combines ground penetrating radar utility locating with vacuum excavation to confirm results.
Can ground penetrating radar detect the size and shape of underground voids or cavities?
Yes. Ground penetrating radar services can measure the approximate size, shape, and depth of underground voids, sinkholes, and cavities. These insights help engineers assess soil stability and prevent potential hazards before excavation or construction begins.
What are the limitations of ground penetrating radar?
GPR utility mapping services perform best in dry, non-conductive soils. Moist or clay-heavy soil can weaken signal reflection. In those cases, SoftDig pairs ground penetrating radar for utilities with private utility locating or Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) to ensure comprehensive results.
Is ground penetrating radar safe and non-destructive?
Yes. GPR uses harmless radio waves, not radiation or chemicals. It’s completely safe, non-invasive, and non-destructive, making it ideal for underground utility locating and structural assessments without digging or drilling.
What does ground penetrating radar show?
GPR imaging produces a subsurface profile showing variations in material density. It reveals buried objects such as pipes, cables, voids, or rebar. SoftDig’s experts interpret the results to deliver clear, actionable GPR utility mapping data before excavation.
How much does a ground penetrating radar survey cost?
Pricing depends on project size and site complexity. Most ground penetrating radar services cost between $500–$1,500. SoftDig provides custom estimates for GPR services for underground utilities based on your project needs.
When should I use ground penetrating radar instead of utility locating?
Use ground penetrating radar utility locating when traditional metal detection or electromagnetic locating can’t identify non-metallic or deeply buried objects. GPR is especially effective for concrete scanning, detecting plastic pipes, and confirming unknown utilities. For metallic utilities, private utility locating is often combined for complete site coverage.