Using GPR at Deutsche Bahn and First Steps in Merging the Results with BIM Models

The number of applications for the GPR method at Deutsche Bahn has grown over the last decades. Besides monitoring the substructure under railway tracks, GPR is used to detect the build-up of civil engineering structures to complete building plans, it is used to detect pipes and drains not noted in the records, as well as to detect the remnants of suspected former buildings in future construction sides.

The advance of GPR to survey a large-scale area non-destructively allows its use to inspect train platforms quickly and completely to help experts with the planning of maintenance, reconstruction and upgrades. Possible obstacles for reconstruction works such as unknown pipes, steel beams, old foundations, voids or even parts of a former tunnel were detected in the platforms of a main train station using GPR. First steps are taken to compile the results of the survey into a BIM model of the station. The aim is to help the planner get a workable view over the abundance of information gained by the different crafts. Thus supporting the time planning and budgeting of the reconstruction project.