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Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR):
A Precise Rebar Scanning Technology
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a geophysical locating method that employs radio waves to capture images below the ground’s surface. The beauty of GPR is its ability to pinpoint the location of subsurface features in a non-invasive way, minimising destruction.
Engineers today use GPR for concrete imaging, such as detecting objects in steel reinforcements, metallic pipes, electrical conduits, etc.
how does it work?
Ground Penetrating Radar emits radio signals, typically within the 1 to 3,000 MHz frequency range, into the surface and detects the echoes resulting from subsurface objects. Then, it uses these recordings to construct an image through the system’s software, displaying signal time delay and strength.
GPR is among the best concrete structure scanning technologies, a fast and versatile option with a lower price point. It scans and delivers consistent results no matter the depth of subsurface levels and area dimensions. However, your contractors must be technically adept at analysis and interpretation to handle the sizeable raw data.
WHY IS GPR CONCRETE SCANNING NECESSARY?
Overlooking a thorough concrete scanning before cutting and coring can lead to costly and hazardous repercussions. Are the consequences worth the saved time?
Striking rebar, short for reinforcement bar, is detrimental to equipment. Contractors use rebar in concrete construction to improve the structure’s tensile strength. So when construction is underway, there will be plenty of cutting and drilling through the concrete, making it essential to locate the rebar in the subsurface.
If rebar scanning is not enacted, the process can damage equipment. This would be a counterproductive affair, as repairs and replacing cutters or drills are considerably costly and potentially delay projects. Damaging rebar also weakens the structural integrity of the concrete, giving way to more hazards.
SONICON GPR SCANNING TECHNOLOGY
Recently, Sonicon headed a renovation project for a suspended structure at a residence in Kota Damansara that would be soon be a gymnasium carrying tons of loads. Our clients needed to core some slabs before installing the gym’s ventilation system.
Since the slab structure was designed with full rebars, it was vital to determine the rebar location to avoid hitting any reinforcements during the coring process. Blindly coring at the proposed area without knowing any dangerous elements residing in the concrete is never ideal. Contractors are likely to hit post-tension (PT) cables, rebar, or other structural elements that could result in failure and danger to operations.
Therefore, Sonicon’s scope of work comprised scanning the double layer of the installed rebar before any drilling, coring or cutting jobs could progress.
Most scanning services can only scan the first layer or one side of the structure. On the other hand, Sonicon uses first-rate GPR Scanning Technology that can scan in all directions up to the second layer, or 500mm depth in concrete. Our skilled engineers then marked the slab to indicate the precise rebar location.
Ground penetrating radar is a quick and efficient method that provides accurate, real-time scan results with labour cost savings and complete safety without exposing workers to radiation. Most importantly , Sonicon preserves structural integrity and ensures zero-damage, keeping rebars clean and intact without any micro-cracks.