During construction it oftentimes necessary to do work on pre-existing concrete. Cutting, drilling, and coring are some procedures done to concrete walls and slabs. The concrete may contain post-tension cables, conduits, rebar, among other things. If these are hit during cutting, drilling, or coring it can result in significant damage. So, in the following sections we will look at:
- How to Reduce or Eliminate Risks while Invasive Work is Being Done
- Technique
- Why Skipping Concrete scanning is the Wrong Thing to Do
How to Reduce or Eliminate Risks while Invasive Work Being Done
Concrete scanning is the right way of eliminating or reducing risks that exist when any type of invasive work is done on existing concrete reinforcement. Scanning helps to trace elements that are hidden under the surface and prevents technicians from hitting them.
For example, costly damages are incurred if technicians mistakenly cut into electrical conduits, structural components, water mains, post tension slabs, etc. In addition, people at the job site may face serious injuries in the process.
Damages like these will increase the cost of the project since necessary repair will have to be performed. It will also delay the completion of the project resulting in missed deadlines.
The Most Common Concrete Testing Technique: Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
The best option for concrete testing is ground penetrating radar, which makes use of radio waves of a specific frequency to scan the concrete. If any abnormality is hit during scanning then it bounces back and offers the technician a clear understanding the of sub-surface of the concrete and whatever might be hidden within the concrete.
Technicians using GPR scanning have the experience to understand the patterns that are produced by various anomalies in the concrete and recognize the materials that are there. This data is then utilized for carefully marking out sections of the concrete where drilling work can be done safely.
Why Skipping Concrete Scanning is the Wrong Thing to Do: The Top Five Reasons
Here, we will look at the top five reasons for using concrete scanning before drilling or cutting.
Damage to Rebar: If concrete scanning is not done in advance it is impossible to know whether there is something that will get hit when concrete drilling is carried out. It is also worth mentioning here that during any type of construction involving concrete, a specific percentage of rebar is used to provide structure and ensure strength and safety.
If the rebar gets damaged during concrete drilling it results in immediate stress over the concrete structure and adversely impacts the stability of the structure.
Damage to Structural Cables: Similarly, structural components such as post tension cables can result in serious problems if they are compromised. When structural cables are inserted within slabs, significant post-tensioning takes place. Also, a good amount of pressure is applied for the tightening of the cables. These steps are taken to make slabs more sturdy. If the post tension cables get damaged workers can get injured. It can also result in irreparable damage to the slabs.
Damage to Electrical Conduits: Another problem is damage to metal and plastic electrical conduits, radiant heating lines, and water lines. If electrical conduits get damaged it can result in the electrocution of workers at worst, and in power outages at the least. GPR can be used for assessing damage or leaks in water lines, which normally remain unnoticed. If any type of damage to heating, water, and electrical fittings are noticed then urgent repairs are necessary before work can continue.
Detect Voids: Apart from detecting presence of certain materials, GPR feature proves to be beneficial in checking whether certain material is absent. For example, there could be empty spaces or voids present within the concrete due to previous damage or the use of incorrect pouring methods.
Voids can also surface over time when the sub grade dirt starts to erode. This issue remains undetected when we only view the surface of the concrete. Over time, these voids can cause the concrete slabs to collapse. Detecting voids helps in the assessment of weak areas that may require further repair.
Examine the Concrete
Concrete scanning is also necessary for analyzing the structure of the concrete. For example, scanning proves to be beneficial for measuring the thickness of the concrete, determining the content of the rebar, evaluating the gauging, and examining the elevation of slabs.
When performing work engineers often require these details and when GPR is used, it results in faster and more efficient scanning of materials.
A Final Note
From the details provided above, it is clear to see why concrete scanning is a critical first step – before any type of concrete drilling, cutting, or coring is done. By scanning the concrete appropriately you can prevent damage to conduits and also save workers from physical harm.
If damage occurs, it can cause the project to get delayed and prove to be detrimental to a timely completion of the project. It can increase cost of the project unnecessarily since you will have to do additional repair work to restore the concrete to its pre-damaged state before starting again.
GPR is one of the most accurate methods of scanning concrete. It helps technicians get clear information about conduits present inside the concrete. If you would like more information about how concrete scanning works and why it is helpful before drilling starts, give us a call and our experts will provide all the details and guide you in the right direction.