The Versatility of a GPR Concrete Scanner: What Can it Find?

Concrete scanning is the use of ground penetrating radar to detect materials or voids within a concrete slab, wall, or column. Field employees evaluate the integrity of the structure on-site and locate embedded utilities prior to concrete cutting, coring, and drilling. Trinity Subsurface employs a variety of non-destructive testing equipment to provide our clients with information about what’s underneath their concrete structures.

The GPR concrete scanner is designed and built for the concrete technician who needs to locate and mark targets. This handheld system is ideal for locating the position and depth of metallic and non-metallic objects in concrete structures. Subsurface materials found may include: 

1. Rebar
2. Conduit
3. Post-tension cables
4. Voids
5. Service utilities

The GPR concrete scanner provides a fast, non-invasive method to gain accurate insights of objects below the surface, even on a curved surface or column. Trinity Subsurface execute the following procedures for the most accurate readings:

1. Line Scan: Perform reconnaissance surveys to gain real-time assessment of targets embedded in concrete.
2. Grid Scan: Perform detailed area mapping to generate on-site 3D images to better visualize embedded objects in complex sites. Select from pre-set grid sizes with varying resolution levels.

A GPR concrete scanner is a portable device that can be applied to congested rebar configurations, areas close to walls & underneath pipes, and irregular and curved surfaces. Field employees map structure and build reports that annotate measurements with photos and comments. These reports can be generated in real-time. 

So what won’t you see on these reports? While the GPR concrete scanner can detect several material types, it will not observe the following:

1. Small diameter utilities or conduits (especially at depths greater than 24”)
2. Double stacked rebar 
3. Conduit tied to or directly under rebar
4. Cannot see through cinder blocks

GPR equipment helps to reduce safety risks, financial exposure, and costly delays in concrete renovations. In addition to locating embedded materials a field employee can measure slab thickness, conduct a condition assessment or structure inspection.