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GPR Scanning & Ground Penetrating Radar Investigation Across Victoria

See what’s underground — without breaking ground.

Before you cut, core, drill, or excavate, you need to know what’s beneath the surface. Geoscan’s ground penetrating radar (GPR) scanning service gives you a precise, non-invasive picture of subsurface conditions — including buried utilities, concrete reinforcement, voids, slabs, and structural anomalies — without a single hole in the ground.
Trusted by civil engineers, construction contractors, councils, and environmental consultants across Geelong, Melbourne, and regional Victoria, our GPR investigations deliver the subsurface clarity your project demands.
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What is Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)?

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a non-destructive geophysical technique that uses electromagnetic pulses to image the subsurface. The system emits low-energy radar waves into the ground or structure, which reflect back when they encounter changes in material — such as a buried pipe, a void, a reinforcing bar, or a change in soil density. The return signals are captured in real time, building a detailed picture of what lies beneath.
Unlike underground pipe and cable locating, which identifies specific conductive services, GPR reveals a cross-sectional profile of everything beneath the surface — making it the preferred tool for concrete scanning, pavement investigation, void detection, and any application where the full subsurface picture matters.
GPR is safe, non-radioactive, and can be deployed on any surface — from concrete slabs and pavements to open ground, embankments, and built structures.

Ground penetrating radar cross-section scan output showing subsurface features.

What Our GPR Scanning Can Find

Geoscan’s GPR scanning service is used across a wide range of applications. Our equipment provides real-time imaging on any surface and can be deployed on rough terrain, inside structures, and across large open areas.
Geoscan’s GPR scanning service is used across a wide range of applications. Our equipment provides real-time imaging on any surface and can be deployed on rough terrain, inside structures, and across large open areas.

Underground and subsurface detection:

Underground pipes, cables, and utilities — including non-metallic services
Underground storage tanks (USTs) — location and extent
Buried pit covers, valve boxes, and access infrastructure
Subsurface voids, ground disturbances, and sinkholes
Tree root systems and root intrusion into infrastructure
Bedrock depth, soil layering, and changes in soil density

Concrete and structural scanning:

Reinforcing bar (rebar) depth and layout in concrete slabs and structures
Post-tension cables and pre-stressed tendons — critical before any coring or cutting
Concrete slab thickness and internal voids
Buried concrete footings and foundation elements
Delamination, cracking, and structural anomalies within concrete

Pavement and infrastructure:

Road and pavement layer profiling — depth, composition, and integrity
Footpath subsurface investigation
Buried pit covers and drainage infrastructure

HEAT MAPPING AND ANOMALY PROFILING

Beyond detection, Geoscan provides detailed heatmapping of subsurface anomalies — including rocks, buried debris, voids, and areas of ground disturbance — and delivers full oval depth profiles for pipes, conduits, and utilities. All survey data is delivered in formats suitable for CAD or GIS integration.

How Our GPR Investigation Service Works

Contact Us & Brief Your Project

Tell us about the site, the surface or structure to be scanned, and what you need to find or confirm. We’ll advise on the most appropriate GPR method and antenna frequency for your application, and provide a fast, transparent quote. GPR is highly adaptable — whether you need a single slab scan or a large-scale ground survey, we’ll recommend the right approach.

On-Site GPR Scanning

Our technicians arrive on site with the latest GPR equipment, capable of real-time imaging on any surface or terrain. The system is rolled across the survey area, generating a continuous subsurface profile as it moves. For concrete scanning, we work to a defined grid pattern to ensure complete coverage. For ground surveys, our team systematically covers the site and identifies all anomalies and features of interest. No excavation, no drilling, no damage to the surface.

Analysis & Delivered Results

GPR data is processed and interpreted by our experienced technicians, who identify and mark subsurface features, record depths, and flag anomalies. Results are delivered as clear, actionable reports — including heatmaps, cross-sectional profiles, and depth annotations — in formats suitable for CAD, GIS, or direct use by your engineering or construction team.
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GPR Scanning Across a Wide Range of Industries & Applications

GPR is one of the most versatile subsurface investigation tools available. Geoscan’s GPR scanning services are used across the following industries and applications:

Civil & Structural Engineering

Pre-drilling concrete scanning, rebar mapping, void detection, and subsurface investigation for design and construction projects.

Construction & Excavation

Locating buried utilities, tanks, and voids before excavation. Reducing the risk of service strikes on complex or unknown sites.

Councils & Road Authorities

Pavement layer profiling, footpath subsurface investigation, void and sinkhole detection, and buried infrastructure surveys.

Environmental Consultants

Underground storage tank (UST) detection, soil contamination boundary investigation, and ground disturbance mapping.

Plumbing & Electrical Contractors

Non-metallic service detection and slab scanning before trenching, coring, or connection works.

Archaeology & Heritage

Non-invasive mapping of subsurface archaeological features, burial sites, and heritage structures — without disturbing the ground.

Arborists & Landscaping

Tree root mapping and root intrusion assessment to protect infrastructure and inform tree management decisions.

Petroleum & Industrial

UST detection and delineation, buried pipeline surveys, and site clearance investigations for petroleum and industrial sites.

Why Industry Professionals Choose Geoscan for GPR

Real-Time Results On Site

Our GPR systems deliver real-time imaging as the scan is performed — anomalies and features are identified on the day, not days later.

No Excavation Required

GPR is entirely non-invasive. No holes, no coring, no surface damage. Your slab, pavement, or site remains intact throughout the investigation.

Metallic and Non-Metallic Detection

Unlike standard pipe and cable locators, GPR detects both metallic and non-metallic subsurface features — including PVC pipes, concrete elements, voids, and soil changes.

CAD & GIS-Ready Outputs

All GPR data is delivered in formats ready for your engineering or design workflow — heatmaps, cross-section profiles, depth annotations, and CAD/GIS-compatible files.

Combined GPR + Utility Locating

Geoscan offers combined GPR and electromagnetic utility locating in a single site visit — giving you the most complete subsurface picture available and eliminating the need to coordinate two separate contractors.

Experienced, Local Team

Based in Geelong with 28+ years of experience, our team has worked across Victoria’s most complex and sensitive sites — from CBD construction to archaeological investigations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is GPR scanning used for?

GPR scanning is used to investigate what lies beneath a surface without any excavation or surface damage. Common applications include scanning concrete slabs before coring or cutting (to locate rebar, post-tension cables, and voids), locating buried utilities on construction sites, detecting underground storage tanks, investigating road and pavement layers, mapping archaeological features, and identifying subsurface voids or ground disturbances. GPR is suitable for any situation where you need to understand subsurface conditions before breaking ground or making structural decisions.

What can GPR detect that pipe and cable locators cannot?
Electromagnetic pipe and cable locators are designed specifically to detect conductive metallic services. GPR has a broader detection capability — it can identify non-metallic buried objects (PVC pipes, concrete slabs, plastic tanks), structural features within concrete (rebar, post-tension cables, voids, delamination), changes in soil density or layering, tree root systems, and subsurface voids. For a complete picture of the subsurface, combining both GPR and electromagnetic locating in a single site visit is the most thorough approach.
How deep can GPR scan?
Effective GPR scan depth depends on the antenna frequency used and the material being scanned. Lower frequency antennas penetrate deeper (up to several metres in dry soil or rock) but with lower resolution. Higher frequency antennas provide greater resolution at shallower depths — typically 0.3 to 0.6 metres — making them ideal for concrete scanning. In practice, most civil and construction applications require scanning to depths of 0.5 to 1.5 metres, which GPR handles reliably. Geoscan selects the appropriate antenna for your specific application and site conditions.
Is GPR scanning safe?
Yes. GPR systems emit low-energy electromagnetic signals — they are non-radioactive and pose no risk to people, adjacent structures, or the surrounding environment. The equipment can be safely operated on occupied sites, near sensitive infrastructure, and in environmentally protected areas. GPR is classified as a non-destructive testing (NDT) method and is used routinely in hospitals, heritage buildings, and public spaces where safety requirements are stringent.
Can GPR scan through concrete?
Yes — concrete scanning is one of the most common GPR applications. GPR can image through concrete slabs, walls, and structures to identify rebar layout, post-tension cables, embedded conduits, voids, and slab thickness. This is critical before any coring, cutting, drilling, or anchor installation to avoid striking post-tension cables or reinforcement. For best results, concrete scanning is performed using a high-frequency antenna that maximises resolution within the slab depth.
What is the difference between GPR and Dial Before You Dig (DBYD)?

Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) is a free referral service that provides records of registered underground infrastructure from asset owners. It tells you what is supposed to be there based on existing records. GPR is an active, on-site detection method that tells you what is actually there. DBYD records are frequently incomplete — particularly for privately owned services, older infrastructure, unlicensed works, and non-metallic pipes. GPR provides a ground-truth investigation that DBYD records alone cannot replicate and is especially valuable on sites with unknown or complex subsurface conditions.

Can GPR detect underground storage tanks (USTs)?
Yes. GPR is an effective tool for locating underground storage tanks, including decommissioned or abandoned tanks that may not appear on any site records. The system detects the characteristic reflection pattern created by a tank’s walls and any surrounding void or disturbed soil. UST detection is particularly important for environmental assessments, site purchase due diligence, development feasibility, and petroleum industry compliance.
What areas do you service?
Geoscan is based in Geelong and provides GPR scanning services across Victoria, including greater Melbourne, the Surf Coast, Bellarine Peninsula, and regional Victoria. Contact us to discuss your project location and we’ll confirm availability and mobilisation.

Related Services

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Get a GPR Scanning Quote — Fast.

Whether you need a concrete slab scanned before coring, a void investigation beneath a pavement, or a full subsurface survey of an unknown site, Geoscan’s GPR team is ready to mobilise across Geelong, Melbourne, and Victoria. Get in touch today for a fast, no-obligation quote.

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Monday – Friday | 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

info@geoscan.com.au

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