Ground-penetrating radar is often mistakenly referred to as concrete sonar, ultrasound, x-ray or ferroscan.
Maverick Inspection has multiple GPR systems which are useful to the construction industry and various applications.
We also have the experience, being one of the first companies in Western Canada to have obtained a GPR unit, and put it to commercial use nearly a decade ago. Since obtaining the system we have worked daily with construction industry professionals on Greenfield construction, Brownfield construction, light commercial renovations, special projects and predictive maintenance.
Call James Harrison at (780) 467 1606 for more information on our Subsurface Concrete Imaging services.
Our list of projects include working in most major shopping centers in Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary, as well as various hospitals, schools, Transit centers, office buildings, parkades and bridges. Click here for a partial listing.
Some special projects we have worked on have pushed the boundaries of the GPR systems employed, with such special requests as supplying depth of rebar coverage with +/-3mm accuracy, among others!
More common applications, such as rebar and conduit locating prior to coring through concrete slabs, may previously have been performed using radiography or X-ray but our method of concrete scanning is far more convenient in most cases. (Compare GPR to Radiography by clicking here) By producing no radiation hazards, we are able to work in crowded work spaces during regular hours with no special considerations. If you can safely use your cordless phone, you can use Ground-penetrating radar.
Answers to some common questions:
Q: How does GPR work?
A: GPR works be emitting a short pulse of radio waves at specific frequencies. The radio travels into the ground (or wall, or ceiling) in a straight line, and will continue to travel in a straight line until it contacts a reflective surface. The sending/receiving unit can detect these reflections, and the onboard computer generates images which can be interpreted by the user.
Q: So, is it X-ray or ultrasound?
A: Neither. X-ray is actually Radiography, which uses a radioactive source, and requires site evacuations and other risk factors. Ultrasound uses mechanical sound waves to image conductive materials in high detail. GPR uses radio waves, similar to a cordless phone to locate objects within the concrete slab.
Q: Can you scan my area?
A: Usually yes. We do have limitations which come with the system. First and foremost we need clear and free access to the concrete. The system works only when it is in direct contact with the surface to be inspected. No steel stud tracks, false floors, insulation, puddles of water or piles of debris. We need an appropriate amount of time, with most 24” x 24” (600mm x 600mm) areas taking about 20 minutes. The concrete must be cured (over 28 days old) and we need to physically be in the area scanned.
Q: Is this 100% guaranteed?
A: No. One issue with non-destructive testing is that it is always the best guess, based on the best information available. What we do guarantee at Maverick Inspection Ltd. is that we will provide experienced technicians, who know their job, and will be using current generation equipment which is well maintained, and designed specifically for the task at hand. By providing this level of experience, and this quality of tools, we have been able to maintain an accuracy rating above 98%, tracked through customer feedback and repeat business. There is a reason we are the #1 recommended contractor for this work in a large number of the office buildings and shopping centers in the Edmonton area.
Q: How do you know what you’re looking at (or what do all those squiggles mean?)
A: Experience, first and foremost. Years of daily practice working with the tools is the best method of learning, and we have that. In typical applications we are able to locate a number of objects which form a square grid, at predictable depths. We assume these are rebar. Objects falling outside of the rebar pattern are assumed to be conduits. We also use additional tools to help identify live power lines, communications lines and known plumbing lines etc.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Call us at (780) 467-1606 so that we can set up an estimate for your project.
Click here for a list of common GPR applications
Click here for a list of real world case studies Maverick Inspection Ltd. has been involved with.
Breaking Ground on a new project? Maverick Inspection Ltd. provides private utility locating services augmented with Ground-penetrating Radar.
Maverick Inspection Ltd. is IRP16 compliant, and COR certified. We have a safety first attitude which extends to our clients. We will work to protect you from property damage and safety hazards which might otherwise exist in concrete coring/cutting or ground-disturbance applications.
For these, or any other application you can think of, contact James Harrison at (780) 467-1606.
The three images above show samples of the results of GPR surveys. The markings on the floor are self explanatory, with clearly marked rebar grids. Conduits are highlighted with additional markings. These markings are created while we work, based on real-time analysis. There is no need to wait for film to develop, or to correlate findings back to specific locations. The equipment we use is able to locate lines within 0.1" (2-3mm) on center in real time. When we leave the site, you already know where you can core, and where you should avoid. If the sites are unsuitable, it takes us only seconds to move the equipment and scan additional spots. It is possible therefore to perform "engineering on the fly".
Ground-penetrating radar is often mistakenly referred to as concrete sonar, ultrasound, x-ray or ferroscan.
Maverick Inspection has multiple GPR systems which are useful to the construction industry and various applications.
We also have the experience, being one of the first companies in Western Canada to have obtained a GPR unit, and put it to commercial use nearly a decade ago. Since obtaining the system we have worked daily with construction industry professionals on Greenfield construction, Brownfield construction, light commercial renovations, special projects and predictive maintenance.
Call James Harrison at (780) 467 1606 for more information on our Subsurface Concrete Imaging services.
Our list of projects include working in most major shopping centers in Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary, as well as various hospitals, schools, Transit centers, office buildings, parkades and bridges. Click here for a partial listing.
Some special projects we have worked on have pushed the boundaries of the GPR systems employed, with such special requests as supplying depth of rebar coverage with +/-3mm accuracy, among others!
More common applications, such as rebar and conduit locating prior to coring through concrete slabs, may previously have been performed using radiography or X-ray but our method of concrete scanning is far more convenient in most cases. (Compare GPR to Radiography by clicking here) By producing no radiation hazards, we are able to work in crowded work spaces during regular hours with no special considerations. If you can safely use your cordless phone, you can use Ground-penetrating radar.
Answers to some common questions:
Q: How does GPR work?
A: GPR works be emitting a short pulse of radio waves at specific frequencies. The radio travels into the ground (or wall, or ceiling) in a straight line, and will continue to travel in a straight line until it contacts a reflective surface. The sending/receiving unit can detect these reflections, and the onboard computer generates images which can be interpreted by the user.
Q: So, is it X-ray or ultrasound?
A: Neither. X-ray is actually Radiography, which uses a radioactive source, and requires site evacuations and other risk factors. Ultrasound uses mechanical sound waves to image conductive materials in high detail. GPR uses radio waves, similar to a cordless phone to locate objects within the concrete slab.
Q: Can you scan my area?
A: Usually yes. We do have limitations which come with the system. First and foremost we need clear and free access to the concrete. The system works only when it is in direct contact with the surface to be inspected. No steel stud tracks, false floors, insulation, puddles of water or piles of debris. We need an appropriate amount of time, with most 24” x 24” (600mm x 600mm) areas taking about 20 minutes. The concrete must be cured (over 28 days old) and we need to physically be in the area scanned.
Q: Is this 100% guaranteed?
A: No. One issue with non-destructive testing is that it is always the best guess, based on the best information available. What we do guarantee at Maverick Inspection Ltd. is that we will provide experienced technicians, who know their job, and will be using current generation equipment which is well maintained, and designed specifically for the task at hand. By providing this level of experience, and this quality of tools, we have been able to maintain an accuracy rating above 98%, tracked through customer feedback and repeat business. There is a reason we are the #1 recommended contractor for this work in a large number of the office buildings and shopping centers in the Edmonton area.
Q: How do you know what you’re looking at (or what do all those squiggles mean?)
A: Experience, first and foremost. Years of daily practice working with the tools is the best method of learning, and we have that. In typical applications we are able to locate a number of objects which form a square grid, at predictable depths. We assume these are rebar. Objects falling outside of the rebar pattern are assumed to be conduits. We also use additional tools to help identify live power lines, communications lines and known plumbing lines etc.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Call us at (780) 467-1606 so that we can set up an estimate for your project.
Click here for a list of common GPR applications
Click here for a list of real world case studies Maverick Inspection Ltd. has been involved with.
Breaking Ground on a new project? Maverick Inspection Ltd. provides private utility locating services augmented with Ground-penetrating Radar.
Maverick Inspection Ltd. is IRP16 compliant, and COR certified. We have a safety first attitude which extends to our clients. We will work to protect you from property damage and safety hazards which might otherwise exist in concrete coring/cutting or ground-disturbance applications.
For these, or any other application you can think of, contact James Harrison at (780) 467-1606.
The three images above show samples of the results of GPR surveys. The markings on the floor are self explanatory, with clearly marked rebar grids. Conduits are highlighted with additional markings. These markings are created while we work, based on real-time analysis. There is no need to wait for film to develop, or to correlate findings back to specific locations. The equipment we use is able to locate lines within 0.1" (2-3mm) on center in real time. When we leave the site, you already know where you can core, and where you should avoid. If the sites are unsuitable, it takes us only seconds to move the equipment and scan additional spots. It is possible therefore to perform "engineering on the fly".