What is Concrete Scanning?

Sawing or drilling into concrete is a risky business.

One of the biggest risks inherent in these common construction jobs is striking hidden objects embedded in or under a concrete slab. Severing a post tension cable, rebar, or utility line could lead to injury or death – not to mention tens of thousands of dollars in repairs.

Fortunately, technology exists to locate these objects prior to drilling or cutting. Hiring a professional concrete scanning and imaging service will save your project time and money – and keep people safe in the process.

‍

‍

 What is Concrete Scanning?

GPRS Project Managers primarily use ground penetrating radar (GPR) to detect materials or voids within a concrete slab. With this technology, we determine exactly what is hidden within the slab and the exact location of these objects. 

GPR is a non-destructive detection and imaging method in which a radio signal is sent into a concrete structure. The radio wave bounces off any material it encounters and creates a reading that displays these “bounces” as parabolas. An experienced GPR technician interprets this reading to determine the type of material located. 

What Can You Find When Scanning Concrete?

Scanning concrete with GPR reveals rebar, post tension cables, electrical conduit, voids, and more. This is also an effective method of structural review including concrete slab measurement and rebar spacing.

When Do You Need to Scan Concrete?

Concrete should be scanned before any excavation or renovation work begins. This includes coring, drilling, cutting, and any other activities that could compromise the concrete’s strength.

‍

Why Do You Need to Scan Concrete?

The average total cost of a single utility strike is $56,000. This number includes project downtime, repairs, medical costs, and in the worst case, evacuating surrounding neighborhoods. But the biggest risk of not scanning concrete prior to coring, drilling, or cutting is not to the pocketbook; it’s to the workers performing the task.

Hiring a professional concrete scanning service to scan your slab ensures all major components within that structure are marked out. This helps prevent damage that could prove costly, and even fatal.

Why is Concrete Scanning a Safety Concern?

Damage to rebar or post tension cables could potentially cause immediate structural failure, leading to injury or the death of those on site. Severing a hidden power line could cause electrocution, which could also lead to death.

Can GPR See Through Concrete? 

GPR is a non-destructive tool for penetrating concrete to determine what is inside of it. GPR can be used to detect any non-concrete material or voids within the concrete.

Is it Possible to Scan Vertical Surfaces or Ceilings? 

Yes, GPR can scan for the location of rebar in concrete columns and walls. It can also scan the underside of a floor to mark out the reinforced steel and any embedded conduits.

Where Can I Find a Concrete Scanning Company Near Me? 

Right here! With over 400 Project Managers, strategically stationed in every major market and city across the United States, GPRS has an unmatched nationwide service network that makes it quick and easy to find an expert Project Manager near you. We reach your location within 24 to 48 hours of contact to solve all and any of your infrastructure visualization needs. 

We’re here to help you Intelligently Visualize The Built World™. What can we help you visualize? 

‍