GPR Scanning: Chicago Concrete Scanning Service

Starting work on pre-existing concrete structures is difficult to plan, as various materials can be hidden inside any given slab. These obstacles, such as pipes and rebar, must be located before work can start.

Cutting concrete blindly can result in personal injury, or costly damage to the property. To avoid the risk of injury, x-ray machines have traditionally been employed to scan the inside of concrete slabs in order to map its contents. However, this process is slow, clunky and potentially unsafe due to the radiation the x-ray machine generates. A far better alternative is the “GPR” system like the one used by our team at Cobra, the premiere Chicago concrete scanning service.

Ground penetrating radar is a non-invasive and non-destructive process that utilizes radio waves to scan and map the area within a concrete slab. Cobra utilizes a series of electromagnetic wands and transmitters to scan through concrete slabs that are up to 18 inches thick. Using these devices allows us to detect obstacles such as piping, rebar, beams, mesh, and more. GPR is accurate within a 1/4″ inch, and in addition to locating obstacles, it can accurately map areas of deterioration caused by rebar corrosion.

At Cobra, we perform concrete scanning using a three-step approach.

First, is an initial assessment of the work area. We examine the work space to determine the integrity of the existing concrete and its subsurface. During the examination, we locate any potential factors that could limit the scan. Some of these limitations can come from accessibility (such as obstructions in the area from walls or other structures), rough or damaged surfaces that interfere with the scanning equipment, or trough areas of pan-decking which may conceal metallic objects within their configuration.

Once the initial assessment  is complete, we complete the scan of the area. The results are seen in real-time and we mark the location of each object on the surface as we go, allowing us to create a working layout of the area.

We also take photographs of each located object as the scan progresses. These photographs are key to our third step in which we create a 3-D inspection model that fully maps out all detected items for analysis. The model can then be used to easily plan where the concrete slab should be cut.

GPR is faster and more efficient than x-ray. It quickly and easily covers concrete slabs of any length or width, whereas x-ray machines typically require specifically sized squares (1’x1′, 2’x2′) to scan properly.

Additionally, GPR scanning is considerably safer than x-ray, as it utilizes very high frequency waves, much like Wi-Fi and cellphones. As a result, it is completely safe to use for our technicians and anybody else working in the area. This differs from an x-ray machine which typically requires the site around the scanned area be cleared.

If you have questions regarding the GPR process, Cobra offers 24-hour emergency services and scheduling, contact us at anytime.