Radar Finds Old Drain Tile Lines

Radar Finds Old Drain Tile Lines TILING MACHINES Tiling Machines 27-3-20 Before you can upgrade existing field drainage, you need to find old drain tile lines. Engineers at Ohio State University have been getting the job done with "ground penetrating radar", or GPR. Until now, the only sure method has been the use of hand-held tile probes, which are extremely labor intensive. Tile contractors spend a lot of time and money locating old lines so they can upgrade drainage with new lines spaced evenly along old lines. GPR works by directing radar pulses into the ground and measuring the time it takes for the signal to travel down and bounce back. Soil type and condition effect the signal so equipment has to be carefully calibrated for each situation. Tests by OSU engineers on 11 plots successfully found 80 percent of the tile, including both clay and plastic, down to depths of about 3 ft. Tests will continue this year and they hope to develop mobile equipment that can be used practically, according to Barry Allred, an agricultural engineer with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (contact him by phone at 614 292-9806 or email allred.13@osu.edu).

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