With cutting-edge advancements in construction technology, there is an unprecedented growth in technology demands for cutting or coring concrete slabs. Concrete scanning with the help of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is the most sought-after technology today due to its immense benefits.

With cutting or coring of slabs, there are probabilities of the potential damage of striking rebars, electrical and communication conduits, as well as post-tension cables. These mistakes cannot be revoked and cause much financial strain. So, using GPR is definitely a wise decision to mitigate such issues.

However, not many people are well-versed with GPR Scanning and tend to ask many questions about it. This blog will delve into such queries with the intention to resolve them.

Can we Scan Concrete Slab-On-Grade with Ground Penetrating Radar? 

This is the most common question asked. So, the answer to this question is yes, you can. While we compare GPR with concrete X-rays, it’s crucial to know that X-ray is a valid technique to determine the location of reinforcing steel, but it is limited to elevated concrete slabs as you need access to both sides of the concrete.

Ground penetrating radar is a technology with entirely different features. GPR only needs access to one side of the concrete. This is why GPR is perfect for scanning concrete slab-on-grade applications.

Is Ground Penetrating Radar able to Recognize the Dissimilarity between Rebar, Post-Tension Cables, Electrical Conduits and Other Embedded Materials?

Though GPR cannot determine the type of object located, Concrete Insight project managers are very skilled in utilizing the data generated to identify the type of reinforcing steel or electrical conduit present. With the help of GPR and other data, experts can locate all the variances of the reinforcing steel.

The findings in the concrete, on the basis of the patterns and what each marking stands for, can be found out. For example, if an object is on an angle through a square layout, it will definitely be a conduit. Moreover, you will find a typical rebar pattern with 12 to 18-inch centers. If we talk about the post-tension cables, they are far apart but also depend on the design of the building.

 

Does Ground Penetrating Radar have any Health Risks Associated With its Use?

If someone is familiar with X-raying concrete, they will raise this question as the radiation exposure from X-rays is quite detrimental for their health. On the other hand, the typical power output created by the GPR antenna is relatively low in comparison to cell phones, which are commonly used these days. So there are no health concerns for project managers, workers, or any occupants in the buildings. Moreover, it is a process with no noise issues.

Is it a Time-Consuming Process to Scan the Area for Core Drilling? 

No, ground penetrating radar is a very time-efficient process. It is a modern, fast technology; even the largest areas can be scanned in less time. It generally takes 10 minutes to scan and mark an area of a 2-by-2 feet size.

Is Ground Penetrating Radar Better than X-rays? 

Yes, GPR has many advantages over X-rays so, it’s much better. GPR has a wide range of antenna frequencies, making it versatile in striking a balance between resolution and penetration depth. Penetration is much better than with X-rays.

GPR is efficient for real-time inspections, while X-ray scanning demands off-site processing and development.

Overall, concrete scanning with GPR has become relatively effortless and facilitating. Make sure you opt for this technology when you need to scan in-depth with accuracy for your construction projects.