The use of concrete slab rebar scanning before concrete cutting can result in minor delays, however, it will also result in a better analysis of the situation and helps in avoiding longer delays that can arise if a water main is hit or concrete cutting causes the shut off of a conduit. Moreover, you will be able to avoid the expenditure on repairing damaged conduits and structures.
For instance, if a rebar that is strengthening a steel beam structure within the slab is cut, this results in damage and the potential of having a falling structure. Similarly, if electrical conduits are cut then a shut down at the job site can happen or it may result in serious injuries.
Analyze Depth and Location for Obstructions
Before taking up the task of concrete cutting, it is better to make use of concrete scanning for determining depth as well as the location of conduits, rebar, and other types of obstructions that need to be avoided. This information assists operators in understanding the depth to which a cut can be made, what can be cut, and what locations need to be avoided.
Usefulness of Concrete Scanning
Let us now look at how concrete slab rebar scanning proves to be useful before concrete cutting is carried out.
1. Locate Electrical Conduits
Electrical conduits need to be detected before saw cutting or core drilling is carried out. This detection helps in preventing various risks from power outages or safety risks.
2. Trace Reinforced Steel
Concrete scanning helps in locating rebar and post tension cables present inside the concrete. When scanning is complete the area is marked so that drilling can be performed in the correct manner. Additionally, concrete scanning assists in upholding structural integrity as well as lowers the necessity for repairs and patch work. Concrete scanning also becomes useful during renovation work when drain installations, plumbing, duct work, electrical outfitting, and fire protection systems are involved.
3. Detect Underground Objects
In addition to utilities it is likely that there could be underground objects present inside such as building foundations, sinkholes, septic systems, voids, and underground storage tanks (USTs).
Concrete scanning will help you get prior information about these details so that expensive rework and project delays can be avoided. Let us look at an example that illustrates the problems that can arise if prior concrete slab rebar scanning is not performed.
Suppose, there is an underground storage tank and it results in soil contamination after being damaged during concrete cutting. In this situation, various activities are to be performed such as soil testing, removal of underground storage tanks, stockpiling at the contamination zone and the pump out of contaminants. These tasks will increase the time and resources that are required, cause expenditure overruns, and delay the completion of work.
4. Perform Concrete Analysis
By performing proper concrete analysis, experts are able to determine the concrete’s structure. The analysis involves examination of the rebar’s contents, spacing of the rebar, the concrete’s thickness, and the concrete slab’s elevation. This type of thorough analysis helps in determining the structure of the concrete.
5. Find Out Voids
Concrete slab rebar scanning is often used for locating the voids that appear as air gaps between slab on grade and sub grade. Often these voids remain hidden behind the concrete surface.
The reason for the occurrence of these voids is erosion, compaction, or pipe ruptures. These voids usually stay undetected on the surface. Concrete scanning is able to locate these voids and lower the chances of a collapse when concrete cutting is carried out.
Let us explore a few of the other issues that can arise when concrete scanning is not performed.
- In the case that concrete slab rebar scanning is not performed, then it will be difficult to analyze concrete structure’s present condition.
- Without proper inspection it will also be hard to determine the level, type, and cause for the concrete’s deterioration. Moreover, without concrete scanning, the rate of deterioration cannot be evaluated in the correct manner.
- Accurate estimates cannot be provided with respect to time in hand before repair or replacement will have to be performed.
- Lack of concrete inspection will also mean that how negatively the deterioration will affect serviceability of concrete cannot be properly determined when it is decided to further defer the repair or replacement of the concrete. Additionally, information will not be available on whether structural changes being planned will have any effect over the service life as well as the safety of the structure.
- Without concrete scanning inspection report estimates cannot be provided with respect to cost effective choices which will prove helpful in stopping further deterioration of the structure.
- If concrete slab rebar scanning is not performed then it will be difficult to analyze problems such as element displacement, physical damage, foundation settlement, misalignment, staining, joint movement, or dampness present within concrete structure.
- A few of the other issues that you will have to face in case concrete scanning is not performed include sulfate attack, popouts, condensation, steel corrosion, which have high humidity as their underlying cause.
- If scanning is not carried out then it will be difficult to define the area which is affected, the affected concrete’s volume, the depth to which the problem has seeped into concrete, and the length of the cracks present within the concrete.
- It will be difficult to provide the right recommendations regarding the procedure to be followed for the concrete structure’s rehabilitation through the use of structural or cosmetic repairs and if such repairs are not possible then by performing complete replacement.
To summarize it can be said that concrete scanning is a very important task that must be performed before concrete cutting is carried out. Concrete scanning will help you take the right decisions and avoid risks and unnecessary expenditures if damage occurs to objects present inside the concrete structure.
If you have any concrete cutting requirements then give us a call for concrete slab rebar scanning so that we can perform thorough analysis of the concrete and provide details of things you need to keep note of for performing cutting in the right manner without causing damage to internal objects.