The Use of Ground Penetrating Radar in Road and Bridge Deck Evaluation: A Review

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a non-invasive geophysical method widely used for imaging near-surface subsurface features, providing detailed insights into dielectric properties. Bridges, critical for infrastructure, face threats from natural elements and traffic, compromising their structural integrity. Non-destructive testing (NDT), including GPR, is essential for monitoring and preserving bridge health, ensuring safety and minimizing repair costs. This review comprehensively explores GPR's application in assessing road and bridge decks. It surveys advancements in GPR technology for bridge engineering, emphasizing its ability to characterize key components like slabs, beams, and pillars. Drawing from scholarly journals and conferences, the review assesses GPR's effectiveness in evaluating masonry and reinforced concrete structures. It examines methodologies used in practical settings, highlighting innovations in data processing and visualization that enhance GPR's diagnostic capabilities. Case studies demonstrate GPR's precision in locating reinforcement bars and assessing concrete cover, particularly in detecting moisture ingress. The review advocates systematic approaches to data collection, processing, and interpretation to enhance bridge health assessments and ensure long-term structural reliability. The review concludes by discussing the limitations of GPR in road and bridge deck evaluation and proposes potential solutions to ensure its continued effective use.