If you have plans to alter concrete in way, shape or form, you should not proceed without having proper concrete scanning conducted first. The purpose of concrete scanning is to identify potential hazards that are within the concrete slab and to alert workers of their location so they know not to hit them. Here are all the reasons why concrete scanning is so essential.
Working with concrete comes with inherent risks and you can reduce the likelihood of injury by simply scanning the proposed site using ground-penetrating radars (GPR). It is quick and highly accurate enabling you to get on with the job quickly and safely.
Concrete scanning with ground-penetrating radar makes working with concrete as simple as a quick scan. Cutting, coring, demolishing or drilling into concrete without any prior scanning can be fundamentally risky, as objects are often embedded inside.
What is concrete scanning?
Concrete scanning Brisbane refers to the method of employing a type of non-destructive technology to scan concrete. This could comprise of ground penetrating radar (GPR) designed specifically for concrete, a cover metre, a ferroscan device, or even ultrasonic scanning gear.
Why concrete scanning is so essential
Ensures the worksite is safe
When concrete scanning isn’t conducted beforehand, workers may hit a concealed object while altering the concrete. A collision with an embedded item can occasionally result in worksite injuries for employees. For instance, if a post-tension cable were to be severed, it may rupture or snap. Not to mention the electrocution risk from making contact with a live conduit. Making alterations to concrete without any prior scanning is very dangerous and never recommended.
Saves time
If embedded objects are impacted while cutting the concrete, this can cause extensive delays to your project. While you can risk it and alter the concrete without any scanning, it is simply not worth endangering others and causing costly setbacks. Delays can be brought on by the need for repairs post-cutting without scanning. Preventing these occurrences will increase the likelihood that you can finish your project on schedule.
Can save you money in the long run
Some think that concrete scanning is an additional expense that is unnecessary however, this couldn’t be further from the truth. It can save you a considerable amount of money in the long term. It takes out the guesswork and allows you to go ahead with the job quickly rather than inspecting each section as you go for potential embedded objects. You can avoid repairs, injuries, and broken equipment along the way through concrete scanning services.
Concrete scanning, as previously indicated, keeps your projects on schedule.
GPR offers extreme precision
Accuracy is integral when scanning concrete and GPR technology offers the most advanced scanning techniques available today. You can determine the exact locations of items with in-depth and comprehensive reporting. Our analysts can identify risks in the client’s suggested layout. There is a chance that the customer would have run across several issues if they hadn’t chosen to have their concrete scanned.
Commonly embedded objects found in concrete
Trained experts utilise GPR technology to scan concrete. They can determine the precise location of items such as rebar and post-tension cables down to the millimetre. It is extremely accurate and allows workers to proceed with the job with confidence.
Steel reinforcement bars
GPR is highly effective at detecting rebar in concrete. Once it has been identified, the technician will mark the location of the rebar on the surface for all to see. The workers can then see this and know that these areas are to be avoided when working on the concrete. This enables drilling and coring to take place without endangering the integrity of the slab.
Voids
Voids can be found in the subgrade material below the concrete slab using scanning equipment. These are typically undetectable from the surface and can occur over time with slight earth shifts or erosion of the soil. They can become a significant problem if not remedied as they can compromise the structural integrity of the slab and cause it to collapse as a result.
Establish whether there are electrical conduits in the concrete
In urban areas, precise conduit detection is essential for providing electrical services. Electrical conduits that have been severed or damaged present a safety threat to those in the vicinity. Additionally, there is a chance that it can cause power outages. This is why it’s critical to locate every conduit precisely before starting any work on the concrete.
Investigative purposes
The concrete structure can be examined using concrete scanning. This entails measuring the slab’s elevation and spacing as well as the concrete’s thickness and rebar content. Ground penetrating radar can quickly and effectively scan the material for the data that your engineers require.
Along with concrete slabs, concrete scanning can be used for:
- Walls
- Balconies
- Encasements
- Bridges
- Columns
- Beams
- Ceilings
- Floors
- Pylons
- Decks
- Roofs
- Tunnels
- Slabs
- Soil
If you are in doubt and are not sure whether you need to hire a professional concrete scanning technician or not, ensure you seek advice from our team. We can offer friendly advice on your options and whether it’s worth having a scanning service completed first.
Concrete scanning should never be forgone
As you can see, concrete scanning should never be forgone to save a few dollars, the risk it poses to workers, your machinery, your job timeline and the surrounding areas is not worth compromising. Once you have your reports back, you can then proceed knowing that no unexpected surprises will arise once you start work on the concrete.
Contact the experts at South East Scanning for all your concrete scanning needs in South East Queensland
South East Scanning is a family-owned and locally run local Gold Coast company that prides itself on attention to detail and offering the most comprehensive concrete scanning services here in South East Queensland. We use the very latest GPR technology to conduct our scans to ensure that you receive the most advanced scanning reports possible.
All our concrete scanning methods are non-destructive and non-invasive. We offer same-day reporting, and we are fully insured for up to $20 million.
Feel free to contact us today if you have any questions about our services or check out our website for more information.
