Detecting unregistered underground infrastructure with GPR

Abstract

A common problem in urban environments, especially in old streets and buildings that have been subjected to several interventions over time, is the lack of a register (or its update) of underground infrastructures. The GPR can be critical in identifying these subsurface structures of uncertain location and should be used in the planning and programming of direct survey and excavation works at these sites. This paper presents an application of GPR in the search for underground infrastructures in one of the courtyards of the Necessidades Palace (18th century palace) in Lisbon. Based on the results obtained, it was possible to identify a suitable area for burying containers of municipal solid waste in the inspected yard.