Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Testing and inspection often is required on both freshly-mixed and hardened concrete on large-scale construction projects. Southern Inspection assists our customers in identifying that their concrete applications are free of flaws and deficiencies. We also can assist in identifying sub-surface obstacles contained within existing concrete forms.
We provide concrete coring services utilizing the latest drilling equipment ensuring organized and accurate testing methods. These tests can be conducted through existing rod reinforcements without disruption. Coring equipment is available in several diameters for use with any project requirements. Underground imaging services we offer can piggyback coring to provide a complete picture of permanent concrete integrity. Our capabilities include both vertical and horizontal coring.
Ground-penetrating radar is another concrete application that uses radar pulses to provide images of the subsurface. Our technicians detect reflected signals from subsurface structures to isolate objects, material changes, voids and cracks.
Post-tension cable repair is another service offered to customers who require repair of concrete structures due to cable dysfunction. Cables used in construction projects are tensioned prior to the removal of building forms. Damage to a post-tension cables can cause failure further damaging the structure, adjacent property and could cause physical harm.
Our customers often request initial visual materials inspection both on site and in the field for concrete projects. Our breadth of industry knowledge ensures proper identification of material conditions adhering to construction standards. If our staff identifies complex issues requiring further testing, it will be immediately reported to you. No matter how hard to reach your inspection site may be, Southern Inspection can get the job done.
Geological Surveys
Southern Inspection also provides geological survey services to our customers. This work is performed using ground-penetrating radar and is capable of providing utility location services. Our methods use ground-penetrating radar to provide images of the complete subsurface. These images identify objects, material changes, voids, cracks and existing utility infrastructure.
Concrete Scanning
Concrete Imaging & Mapping
Radar Concrete Scanning is sometimes confused with Concrete X-Ray to locate post-tension cables and other objects in concrete construction prior to cutting or coring. We use Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) equipment which uses radio waves that are safe and not gamma rays used in concrete x-ray equipment. The radiation from concrete x-ray equipment can be harmful to humans and therefore requires evacuation. GPR technology can also reduce the time and cost required for a concrete inspection because the results are available onsite in real time. Drilling or cutting through concrete floors, walls or ceilings can be dangerous and very costly if you don't know what is under the surface. Our GPR technicians can accurately & quickly locate rebar, find conduits and identify post-tension cables before it's too late. We can also measure concrete thickness and locate voids in concrete and sinkholes below the ground surface. For more information see our GPR vs Concrete X-Ray Comparison.
Our GPR Data Collection Process
Too often we hear from new clients, that even with a GPR concrete survey, they have hit conduits when coring or cutting an area they were told was clear of anomalies. Usually this is the result of inexperienced GPR technician or an incorrect scan process. In order to save time some GPR operators will simply do line scans (every 4"-6") and try to connect the dots instead of taking the time necessary to create a high resolution 3D grid. The simple line scan process may work some of the time to locate rebar. However, conduits and post tension cables can easily be missed. Although it takes a little longer to collect the data, using a 3D grid process (every 2"), this can save the costs of damaging conduits & post-tension cables and even possibly physical harm to the person doing the coring or cutting. Our highly trained GPR Technicians will not take that risk. Because of our staff's training and experience we can still "get-r-done" quickly and efficiently with quality results.
"Our primary goal as a GPR service company is to ensure the most accurate results for our clients. The following example is a testament of our commitment to using the correct GPR data collection process every time... On a large concrete imaging project of over 20,000 (2' x 2') scans by our GPR Technician the client did not have a single hit in the areas that were cleared. We believe it's always best to do it right the first time!"
Detailed Mapped Reports
In addition to scanning and marking the site for objects located in a concrete inspection we can also provide detailed mapped reports. These reports include diagrams of the scanned areas with locations and depths of located anomalies plotted to scale. This can be used for pre-engineering or just save you money down the road if you need to do further work in that area.
Core Drilling
Southern Inspection & Testing can accommodate all of your coring needs. Whether you simply need a core sample for testing or holes cored in a concrete structure. We use carbide and diamond-tipped bits to drill holes into concrete walls and flooring.
Some of the most common needs for core drilling include:
- Creating a hole for:
- Electrical lines
- Internet cables
- Fiber optic lines
- Plumbing systems
- Sewer and floor drains
- HVAC openings
- Exhaust areas
- Core samples to test the integrity of a structure
No matter what size hole you need cored, Southern Inspection & Testing have the right tools and personnel to get it done right.
Electrical Line Detection
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Geological Surveys
GPR Geophysical Survey
GPR offers a geophysical survey imaging service for non-destructive testing (NDT) evaluation to locate and map subsurface features. Using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). GPR uncovers the mysteries below the ground. The depth of exploration is determined by the ground penetrating radar frequency, ground make up, soil conditions and type of target to be identified.
Common Geophysical Survey Applications:
Identify Subsurface Layers - To map the depths of various soil compositions for mining applications. Geophysical surveys are also used to locate water tables or the depth of bedrock prior to drilling or excavation.
Locate Subsurface Voids - To map the depths and locations of voids in the ground, below road surfaces or below concrete slab floors before they become a dangerous Sink Hole. A GPR geophysical survey is less invasive than taking core samples to determine the depth of a void or multiple core samples to determine the overall size of the void.
Archaeology Survey - Subsurface objects and stratigraphy (layering) will cause reflections that are picked up by GPR equipment. The travel time of the reflected signal indicates the depth. Data may be plotted as individual profiles, or as maps isolating specific depths.
Environmental Assessment - GPR technology has may non-destructive testing uses in the area of environmental asessment. Depending on soil conditions ground contamination, buried objects and water tables can be mapped.
Other Geophysical Survey Applications - These applications include: UST Locating, Forensic Evidence Locating and Cemetery & Grave Site Mapping. Detailed information about these applications can be found by clicking the above links.
COST EFFECTIVE GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY RESOURCE
Some individual targets can be identified on site in real time. Mapping a survey can be accomplished relatively quickly by taking the GPR information collected on site, analyzing the data and mapping the results in our lab. This makes a ground penetrating radar geophysical surveying one of the most efficient and cost effective methods for many geophysical surveys.
Bridge Inspection
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Underground Tank Location
Locate Tanks Non-Destructively
For (UST) underground storage tank locating a considerable amount of time and expense can be saved to locate tank non-destructively utilizing our GPR services. We are also able to identify and confirm the location of a previously buried drum even after it has been removed. If the underground storage tanks are buried below concrete or asphalt we can also tell you how thick the surface is and whether it is supported with rebar reinforcements... BEFORE YOU START DIGGING!
Our clients include companies and individuals who may be required to confirm if an underground storage tank is buried subsurface prior to the transfer of ownership. From the new owner's stand point it is important to identify the risk of a large environmental clean-up bill to remove the tank and the expensive task of cleaning the soil if it has been contaminated. We also work with Environmental Companies for larger commercial non-destructive testing geophysical applications.
Using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) we can locate Underground Storage Tanks (UST) and any associated underground piping. This non-destructive inspection and geophysical survey can determine the location and depth of a UST or provide the location of a former tank vault. We can mark on site the location of an existing or deteriorating tank prior to drilling or excavating operations. We also offer an optional mapping service if you require a mapped report with interpreted locations and depths plotted to scale.