Reinforcement Surveys

When it comes to assessing the integrity of concrete structures, there are a variety of techniques and tools that engineers and contractors can use. Four of the most common are Covermeter Surveys, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Surveys and Reinforcement Mapping. Each of these methods has its own advantages and limitations, making them suited to different types of projects and applications. In this article, we'll take a closer look at each of these techniques, exploring how they work, what they're best suited for, and how they can be used to ensure the integrity and safety of concrete structures. Whether you're a construction professional or just curious about the science behind concrete testing, read on to learn more about these critical tools.

Cover Meter Surveys: What They Are and Why You Might Need One

When it comes to building and construction projects, ensuring the integrity of the concrete structures is of paramount importance. One way to do this is through Cover Meter Surveys, which can help you estimate the position, depth, and size of reinforcement bars that are buried within concrete floors.

So, what exactly is a Cover Meter Survey? Essentially, it's a non-destructive testing method that uses an electromagnetic cover meter to scan concrete floors and estimate the position, depth, and size of reinforcing bars that are buried within. This information is critical to ensuring the integrity and safety of concrete structures.

Cover Meter Surveys can be conducted in accordance with the recommendations found in BS 1881-204:1988. This standard outlines the recommended procedures and methods for conducting cover meter surveys, ensuring consistent and accurate results.

There are a variety of reasons why you might need to conduct a Cover Meter Survey. One of the most common is for quality control purposes, to ensure that the reinforcing bars have been correctly located and that there is adequate cover after the concrete has been placed.

Another reason you might need a Cover Meter Survey is to investigate concrete floors for which records are not available, or to check existing records for accuracy. This is especially important if you suspect that the existing records may be incomplete or incorrect, as it can help you identify potential issues before they become more serious.

Cover Meter Surveys can also be useful when you need to locate reinforcement as a preliminary step to other forms of testing or work, such as the extraction of cores or the installation of wire guidance systems. Additionally, Cover Meter Surveys can be used to locate buried ferromagnetic objects other than reinforcement, such as water pipes or manholes.

Finally, Cover Meter Surveys can be used to locate reinforcement bars prior to the installation of wire guidance systems for Very Narrow Aisles. This can be particularly important in industrial and warehouse settings where VNA systems are common.

Overall, Cover Meter Surveys are an essential tool for ensuring the integrity and safety of concrete structures. By conducting these surveys, you can identify potential issues before they become more serious, ensuring that your structures are built to last.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Surveys: What, where and why?

Site reinforcement surveys play an essential role in ensuring the structural integrity of a building. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a non-destructive testing method that is commonly used for rebar mapping and concrete imaging surveys. The GPR surveys are conducted by trained and experienced surveyors who use high-frequency antennas to scan concrete surfaces to detect deep reinforcing steel up to 400mm. This article will delve into the advantages of GPR rebar surveys and how they can help identify the location, depth, and orientation of reinforcing steel in reinforced concrete.

GPR surveys are non-intrusive and cause minimal disruption to the site. The collected site data is analysed off-site, meaning that the site data collection is quick and efficient. The 2.0 GHz Palm antenna is particularly useful for scanning small areas where access is restricted. The collected GPR data can be saved for off-site analysis, including CAD plotting, and can provide high-resolution rebar mapping, reinforcing steel location, and concrete imaging results.

Compared to other methods like cover meters and the Hilti Ferroscan, GPR offers major advantages for locating deep reinforcing steel. Cover meters and Ferroscan are typically limited to approximately 100mm, while GPR offers high resolution scans that can detect rebar up to 400mm deep. Ground Penetrating Radar can be used with different antenna frequencies to provide a range of penetration depths and resolutions, making it ideal for locating deep rebar, orientation, and depth of cover in real-time.

In addition to detecting rebar and metallic objects, GPR can also be used to detect non-metallic objects and features, map rebar distribution, resolve two layers of reinforcement, detect voids, identify changes in construction, and determine slab thickness. The results obtained from GPR surveys can be used to confirm as-built drawings, determine reinforcement detail when no drawings are available, and carry out structural assessments. Suitable for locating rebar and tendons before cutting, coring, or drilling, GPR surveys are an indispensable tool for engineers and construction professionals.