Concrete Scanning – Know Before You Cut

Scan for Rebar, Pipes, Post-Tension Cables & More

In order to avoid costly errors or delays, contractors need to know what’s beneath concrete before drilling or cutting into concrete floors, walls, or other slabs. Concrete scanning with ground-penetrating radar offers a non-invasive way to look beneath the surface.

What can concrete scanning find?

Drilling into concrete has risks. It’s important to identify what’s underneath.

Concrete scanning can be used to detect:

• Rebar
• Post-tension cables
• Beams
• Pipes
• Gas lines
• Fiber optic cables
• Sanitary lines
• Conduits
• Refrigerant lines
• Utility lines

How does ground-penetrating radar work?

During a GPR concrete scan, a ground-penetrating radar cart or hand-held device is swept across the area in question in a systematic grid. GPR is non-invasive and non-destructive, so none of the concrete is damaged during the scan.

GPR relies on high-frequency waves sent into the concrete. When the waves encounter a buried item, they reflect back, aiding the GPR operator in creating a map of what lies beneath the surface.

Why is Concrete Scanning Important?

You can reduce the risk of cutting lines or damaging equipment by determining the location of horizontal and vertical impediments. GPR can identify the presence of utilities like electrical conduits, plumbing pipes, and communication cables within or beneath the concrete. This prevents accidental damage to these systems during drilling, which could potentially result in safety hazards and costly repairs.

Post-tension cables also pose a significant safety hazard if they are cut during drilling.

“Using GPR to do scanning before cutting through the concrete prevents a lot of potential problems,” said Jessi Taylor, of GPR Arkansas.

Why Use GPR For Concrete Scanning?

GPR is superior to several other means of concrete scanning for several reasons:

1. Non-Destructive: The concrete is not harmed during the scan, maintaining its structural integrity.
2. Versatility: GPR can be used in a variety of environments and doesn’t require as smooth of a surface as other means of concrete scanning.
3. Can Detect Non-Metallic Objects: Some other means of concrete scanning only detect the presence of metal (or in some cases ferrous metal). GPR can give you a more complete picture, detecting not just rebar but also conduit, voids and more.
4. Portability and Set-Up: Unlike methods that use X-rays, GPR equipment is more portable and it also does not require special safety precautions to guard against radiation exposure.

When Should a Concrete Scan Be Conducted?

GPR should be used during construction, remodeling, or renovation projects with pre-existing concrete floors.

Any project that will require cutting, coring, or drilling into the concrete needs to first be scanned. Using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) prior to drilling into concrete is a highly recommended practice to locate potential hazards, reduce the risks associated with drilling and ensure that the structural integrity of the concrete is maintained.

For more information about commercial GPR work, contact GPR Arkansas.

Visit GPR Arkansas on Google.