Pipe penetrating radar PPR , the in-pipe application of ground penetrating radar GPR is one of the most promising quantitative pipe condition assessment technologies to emerge in recent years. With most of the underground pipe infrastructure reaching the end of their design life there is a need to provide measurable data in order to establish the extent of rehabilitation required or the timing of replacement for largediameter critical pipe lines.
PPR technology allows the implementation of proactive preventative maintenance procedures for non-ferrous wastewater and water underground infrastructure. The combined application of PPR, CCTV and LIDAR light detection and ranging provides the most complete inspection technology to enable proactive asset management and allow utility owners to plan and schedule the inspection and rehabilitation of critical utilities prior to the occurrence of emergency scenarios.
Ground penetrating radar GPR is the general term applied to techniques that employ radio waves to profile structures and features in the subsurface. The resolution of PPR technology is primarily determined by the wavelength, but is also affected by other factors such as polarization, dielectric contrast, signal attenuation, background noise, target geometry and target surface texture, all of which influence the reflected wave.
This fourth generation PPR pipe inspection system is mounted on a rubber tracked robot and equipped with two high-frequency PPR antennae. Radar data collection is obtained via two independent channels in both in and out directions, providing a continuous reading on pipe wall thickness and voids outside of the pipe.
The robot has the capability to take quantitative measurements of the inside of the pipe. LIDAR technology employs a scanning laser to collect inside pipe geometric data which is then used to determine pipe wall variances from a manufactured pipe specification. LIDAR data is correlated with an onboard inertial navigation system that can accurately map the x, y, and z coordinates of the pipe without the need for external references.
