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Our Services

Utility Locators

ScanMan Pty Ltd is an established professional locating service for water pipes, sewer and storm drains, gas services, power, communication cables and other underground investigations. We use state of the art scanning equipment to electronically locate a problem, solving what would otherwise be purely guesswork that would take hours and a lot more money to solve.
Locatable utilities (including but not limited to):
  • Water
  • Electric
  • Communication
  • Gas
  • Sanitary or Storm Sewer
  • Telstra & Communications Cables
  • High Voltage and Low Voltage Power Lines
  • Fibre Optic Cables
  • Metal & PVC Pipes
  • Gas Main & Related Services
  • Sewer & Stormwater Pipes
 

Detecting Leaking Pipes

If a pipe which is located underground or underwater has some sort of a leakage, it becomes very necessary to trace that leaking pipe and also the place from where the leakage is taking place. If the leakage is not detected, it can not only prove to be a financial loss, but can also prove to be fatal if the pipe is carrying gas or sewerage wastes.

Concrete Scanning Services

ScanMan uses internationally recognized technology in ground penetrating radar systems (GPRS). We provide concrete scanning, 3d imaging and power cable detection/utility location services.

Our trained GPR service technicians are experienced in locating rebar, post tension cables, ranks, utilities, voids, pipe, conduit, and underground objects, no matter the material composition by using the most advanced in ground penetrating radar technology.

Ground Penetrating Radar Locating

  • Geo Tech Engineering
  • Road, Asphalt & Concrete Pavement Inspection
  • Concrete Structure analysis and imaging
  • Bridge Monitoring
  • Location of Rebar
  • Location of Buried Utilities
  • Location of Underground Storage Tanks
  • Detection of Cavities
  • Cable Routing
  • Pipeline Routing
  • Road Pavement Layer Mapping
  • Railway Bed Inspections
  • Tunnel Lining Assessment
  • Mineral Exploration
  • Open Pit Mine Reserve Evaluation
  • Mine Planning
  • Mining Machine Guidance
  • Environmental Studies
  • Land Fill Sites
  • Hydrogeology
  • Archaeology
  • Forensics

Information

Nondestructive testing of a material means detecting cracks and manufacturing defects in it without causing damage to it. This type of testing method has many advantages as it enables further use of the work piece, helps in minimizing budget, and helps in maintaining statistical data for future interpretation. Nondestructive testing methods which are commonly used in construction industry are ultrasonic, magnetic-particle, liquid penetrant, radiographic, and eddy-current testing.
Destructive testing methods provide more information and are easier to interpret than nondestructive methods but they have a number of disadvantages. The main disadvantage of testing any material by destructive method is the wastage of time and money. The material which is to be tested by destructive method needs to be repaired again which is not a feasible solution for contractors if they wish to complete their project in time. Nondestructive testing (NDT) is a highly valuable technique that helps in saving both time and money and takes burden off the shoulders of contractors.
Nondestructive testing methods are valuable in detecting flaws and defects in concrete as well as determining the depth and thickness of concrete without altering or damaging its physical properties. Nondestructive inspection of concrete can be done by using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). GPR is considered the latest technology to scan concrete as it has an ability to scan quickly, easily, and effectively. GPR can inspect thousands of square feet of concrete in a day. Construction professionals prefer GPR to be used as a reliable, nondestructive concrete scanning tool prior to cutting, drilling, or coring.
GPR is comprised of two antennas which are dragged on the surface of concrete for scanning. Transmitting antenna transmits sound waves into the internal surface of concrete. The sound waves strike against the internal part of concrete and thus reflected. These reflected signals are then collected by the receiving antenna which evaluates the variation in these signals. GPR produces three-dimensional images that can be recorded on a document.
Concrete can also be tested by another nondestructive testing method named as x-ray technology. But this technique is not much reliable and safe as compared to GPR. X-ray scanning of concrete requires radiation or gamma rays which are quite unsafe for humans. The area where concrete is scanned using x-ray radiation, contractors prefer to evacuate people from the area to remain safe from its hazards. On the other hand, safe and faster results can be gained through GPR using its sound waves.
Nondestructive testing of concrete can also be carried out by other instruments like The Windsor Probe, rebound hammers, crack monitors, and concrete compression tester. But these instruments are not worthy enough in determining the rejection or acceptance of concrete as the readings given by these instruments are not absolute.
Nondestructive testing of cracks within concrete can be done by using crack monitor. Crack monitor is a simple and easy-to-use nondestructive testing device which can detect and record movements of crack in concrete. This device is installed on concrete and the results are gathered on a Crack Progress Chart.

Electrical gadgets and fault tracing devices are commonly relied upon these days by service providing organizations which are hired by building or property owners/lessors for an inspection of their premises prior to any construction work (drilling, excavating, breaking of walls etc), particularly, seeking to repair or install underground cables and telecom or electrical wiring etc. If used in accordance with the prescribed instructions and by professionals in an appropriate manner, such locators can precisely pinpoint the area and depth of the hidden cables no matter if they are hidden beneath layers or within a conduit. Moreover, such devices can also figure out any breakages or imperfection (leading to a fault in the functioning of the system concerned) in an underground cable. Some devices can only locate the cable, whereas others can be serve the dual purpose, i.e., locating the cables and highlighting the faults and imperfections. Such tools are essential for surveyors and inspection companies, in the absence of which they may be redundant.
Moreover, such devices are also utilized to ascertain areas covered with water pipelines, sewerage lines, gas pipelines for domestic purposes and other underground utility service based lines. Locating such cables and lines is essential and a pre-requisite these days prior to commencing any mining or digging. Undoubtedly, this is of immense help and assistance, in the absence of which a disaster or mishap may not be avoided. Also, consider the inconvenience and health and safety hazard that the general public may be subjected to in case a gas pipeline bursts or other utility based communication cables are cut off. It ought to be acknowledged that the technology on which such devices are based are not relatively new and day to day advancements make such devices even more precise, user friendly and multi purpose. Having said that, the cost of such devices increase as well, correspondingly. Latest models of locators, as observed earlier, are much better at emitting strong and focused signals as compared to its earlier models and these are few of the factors that must be borne in mind prior to purchase of such devices. Moreover, in terms of its physical aspects, it is much lighter in weight with a superb battery life which adds to its merits. The accuracy of such devices, amongst other factors, is primarily achieved by the regular usage and reliance of such devices on digital signal processing (DSP).
Numerous heads of various organizations who are in the business of providing such inspection and cable location services are mindful of the fact that their clientele are well informed about the accomplishments and qualities of state of the art devices and hence always cause and ensure that there organizations are well equipped and up to date with such devices, as and when available in the market. This, in turn, guarantees them continuous flow of work and forms the basis on which their clients repose confidence in them, in due and punctual performance of their cable location tracking services. Given the accuracy and reliability on such up to date fault finding devices, they effortlessly assist the user (and eventually the client) by automatically scanning frequencies of waves on a certain line to locate the objects and material lying latent.

Concrete or reinforcing steel imaging (also synonymously and commonly known as ground penetrating radar or surface penetrating radar) is one of the most common and efficient ways to trace concrete based structures and buried rebars (which are basically reinforcing steel, e.g., rods in concrete to strengthen the structure) beneath the surface of the earth.
Concrete or rebar imaging is heavily relied upon by constructors, technicians, drilling companies and the like prior to commencing their respective functions on the ground. This saves them time, costs and inadvertent surprises and hazards which they may possibly be exposed to if some damage or insertion is made which results in the cutting, bursting or malfunctioning of the materials or objects lying subsurface.
The concrete or rebar imaging devices are more sophisticated and compressed in nature as compared to its other counterparts readily available in the market for consumers. Their sizes vary ranging from 2×2 or 4×4 in three dimensional shapes. The average time taken for such scanners to process the results is around half an hour which includes the all important process of data collection. Such imaging scanners rely on wavelengths that are rather shorter and lower frequencies hence enabling the scanner to be used with smaller transmitters and antennas. The foregoing is a vital feature of concrete or rebar imaging devices which makes them unique and stand out amongst other products of the same category. Such devices can also be used during all the stages of a given project, i.e, designing or subsequently, i.e., at the time of construction, as and when required. At the construction stage, the use of such scanners will obviate the danger or peril of disruption of services due to damage to cables, wires or other materials or substances lying subsurface or physical injuries to those working on the site.
One of the most vital considerations of using concrete imaging or rebar imaging is to give the constructor or engineer the benefit of receiving precise information regarding the buried objects underneath in a timely fashion which will invariably save them a lot of costs primarily that may accrue due to change orders in case the scanning is not performed which may lead to such costs.
Having said that, it is imperative that such scanning devices are, at all times, used, monitored and read or interpreted by trained GPR individuals and/or technicians who are construction professionals and understand its usage and operations; hence, giving further conformity and reliability to the readings or data obtained through such scanners. The pattern reading on the display of such scanners (primarily pertaining to a rebar or if a dissimilar pattern than not a rebar) may be a bit technical and is best understood by those who comprehend its working and operations.
Some of the common structures that such scanners and imaging devices can detect include rebars, brick´s thickness, fiber optic cables, deterioration in concrete, live electrical wires or dead wires, conduits (whether in plastic form or metal), voids, structural mapping surveys, ascertaining depths and sizes of objects and materials etc.

If a pipe which is located underground or underwater has some sort of a leakage, it becomes very necessary to trace that leaking pipe and also the place from where the leakage is taking place. If the leakage is not detected, it can not only prove to be a financial loss, but can also prove to be fatal if the pipe is carrying gas or sewerage wastes.
For this reason it becomes essential to detect leaking pipes. It is generally believed that gas and vapor leaks are common in any industry. However, the point that one should be concerned about is whether the leak is a minute one or it is a constant leakage that can put the health of the people of a certain area or the employees of a certain factory in danger. When the leak is detected, an action is taken do deal with the leaking pipe.
In order to locate the leakage in a certain pipe, one can use different techniques like using electronic devices, chemicals, and devices that are sensitive to sound waves. Leak detectors, like pipe and cable locators, are devices that one can carry in one´s hand. It is very important for such detectors to be handy as detecting leaking pipes can be a difficult task when one is trying to figure out the leaking pipe from a complex web of pipes.
In some instances, the helium gas is inserted into pipes carrying other gases, and the leakage detector can detect escaping helium from a certain pipe, and also the exact location form where it is being leaked.
In domestic usage, it becomes very difficult for a person to tell if an underground pipe is leaking. If the pipe is, say, water pipe, then the water seeps deep into the ground without creating any effect on the surface. This results in the wastage of water without any kind of notification. For gas pipe leakage, it might be too late to figure out a gas pipe leakage and the whole house can catch fire, not to mention losing of precious lives in such incidents. The million dollar question, therefore, is how to detect that an underground pipe is leaking?
Following are some of the tips that are widely appreciated in the plumbing industry and that can help you detect any sort of leakage in house, before it is too late.
The signs of having a leakage in pipes are:

 

  • If you feel that the water and gas bills are remarkably higher than routine bills.
  • The readings of water and gas meters changing even when you are not using the water or gas.
  • When the walls look soggy or discolored.
  • If you hear the sound of running water even when the taps are closed. Same goes for detecting the smell of gas.
  • A concrete slab that has cracks on it, or looks damp.
  • If you feel moisture under your carpet.

Many types of public utility mains reside under the ground and before starting any construction work these utilities including fiber optics and wastewater pipes must be identified. Locating underground utilities is necessary in order to prevent damage during excavation. Different tools and equipment are available for identifying plastic and metallic pipes, and utilities made from other non-conductive materials. State-of-the-art tools also integrate GPS technology for GIS mapping. Similarly, specialized products are available on the market for locating sewer lines, blockages, and septic tanks.
The most common and widely used tool is the ground penetrating radar or GPR. Other than this, metal detection equipment, radiography tools, radio frequency receivers, electronic marker systems, and beacon transmitters are also quite common. All these tools differ in their functionality and specifications. Some penetrate deeper, while others are popular for their speed and reliability. Electronic marker systems operate with markers that must be placed with underground utilities in order to locate them in the future. GPR, on the other hand, maps subsurface information by using electromagnetic waves.
Metal and sound detectors are useful products in the context of underground utility detection. They are used to identify leaks in water pipes and other hard-to-locate voids. Some of these devices are handheld and battery operated, while others require AC power to operate. Construction industry is always in need of specialized and affordable equipment for locating underground utilities and therefore nowadays companies provide products that integrate many functions in a single device.

Sondes or beacon transmitters can also be used to locate leaks in plastic and metallic pipes. They are available in a variety of shapes and can be used for specific purposes. Contractors choose beacon transmitters depending on their function. Cable fault locators or finders are pen-type devices used to locate a crack in the fiber optic cable. These tools are extremely light weight and portable. They are capable of traversing up to 10km of cable distance and give red laser output.

For locating faults in high-voltage cables, more specialized equipment in the form of arc-reflection systems is available on the market. Such a system consists of an impulse generator, a low-voltage and high frequency pulse generator, and an oscilloscope. An arc is produced at the point where fault is located, which is recorded as a waveform. Some systems are available which can be used to determine the depth of cables and metallic pipes without having to disconnect them first.

Some multi-function tools consist of several test instruments including TDR, multimeter, and ASDL in one system. There are tools optimized for specific functions, for example locating faults in telecoms such as open and short circuits. Many other types of fault recorders and detectors are also available on the market.

Ground Penetrating Radar or GPR is a popular tool in the context of non-destructive concrete testing. Concrete scanning is a process used to locate buried objects in concrete. This type of equipment is typically used to locate land mines; however, the construction industry has optimized its use to suit the requirements of concrete scanning. It can be used to test all types of concrete including walls, decks, slabs, and tunnels. Such a tool is capable of scanning a large area in just about minutes. That is why it has become more popular than radiography and other traditional concrete scanning methods.
GPR is becoming increasingly popular in the construction industry because of its safety and reliability. There is no need to evacuate the building or area where GPR is being used for concrete scanning. Because of this reason it is more common than concrete x-rays and other tools used for concrete testing or utility location. In addition, GPR does not require drilling or digging the surface for producing subsurface images. The equipment comes with a computer program that provides visualization tools for viewing the three-dimensional images obtained from subsurface feature information.
Normally a GPR system uses high-frequency radio waves that strike with the utilities located within the ground through an antenna or transducer. The same antenna collects information reflected back from the buried objects and sends it to the control unit. The system can either be operated by a single person or by a vehicle. The radio waves can reach up to a depth of 100 feet in dry ground. Antenna frequency determines the depth of penetration; for example antennas with low frequencies are used for deep penetration, while high frequency antennas are used for shallow inspections (up to 30 feet).
In addition to buried pipes and cables, GPR is also effective in detecting tank and drum location, geologic hazards, and unmarked grave location. The technology is used for shallow and deep ground penetrating applications. Deep penetration requires a low-frequency antenna. GPR scanning is also capable of locating voids within concrete structures. Contractors employ GPR to inspect airport runways, concrete floors, walls, slabs, dams, and tunnels. Buried utilities like gas and electric lines can be easily located using GPR systems. Most GPR systems are capable of penetrating manmade as well as natural surfaces.
Such a type of concrete testing or scanning tool is used for damage prevention in addition to geological investigation and road inspection. Some other applications of GPR include forensic investigations, medical imaging, planetary exploration, detecting timber condition, and building condition assessment. One of the major advantages of GPR is that it allows the assessment of underground features where the surface is optically opaque.

Concrete is considered to have resistance against natural disasters like windstorms, flood etc. and is used as an exterior skin on buildings. Though concrete is reliable for strong building structure, yet concrete manufacturers are concerned with its quality and reliability.
There has been a great need to test concrete before being used in buildings in order to remain safe from disasters. It is often observed that building contractors are blamed of using concrete of lower quality. Concrete is also beneficial against fire conditions as the concrete walls and roofs give protection to human lives when the building catches fire and it is possible only when concrete is made up to the standards. That is why testing of concrete has been a great issue for concrete manufacturers and civil engineers for the last many years.
Concrete is the primary material used in buildings. To test the durability of concrete some standards are employed. These standards are adopted by laboratories throughout the world to test and examine the composition of ingredients used for concrete .These standards are normally used to check hardness, elasticity, and strength of concrete. Old standards are being updated and replaced by new standards in concrete testing with the help of modern technologies.
Before stating the importance of concrete testing, let’s have a look on the composition of concrete, as the properties of ingredients used in concrete determine the properties of concrete. Concrete is a mixture of water, aggregates, and cement.
Water and cement hold the stones and sand together to form concrete. This mixture is mixed together to form the plastic mass which can be molded into the desired shape. When this paste gets hard it becomes like a rock. In order to get a rock hard and durable concrete, it is important to test the composition of its ingredients.
Now let us consider each ingredient used to make concrete. The main ingredient of concrete is cement which is available in many types. Each type has different chemical composition which can give different properties to concrete. Therefore, it is quite necessary to test the quality of cement before getting the desired form of concrete.
Water is also an important factor in determining the quality and durability of concrete. Water is used for hydration in making concrete. Presence of any impurities in water may affect the quality of concrete. Pure drinking water is considered ideal in concrete making, as it is free of impurities, such as minerals and salts. Sea water is not suitable for concrete making.
Other ingredients of concrete are stones and sand. These ingredients must also be clean and free from any contaminating substances in making durable and fine quality of concrete. Aggregates should not contain substances like wood, humus, and coal. The weak nature of substances like wood or coal can affect the durability of concrete. Presence of water soluble salts like chloride and sulphates in aggregate (sand and stone) are not desirable for a fine concrete. Furthermore, aggregates must also be hard and strong. Concrete producers take keen interest in the shape and size of aggregates as it can play an important role in the formation of desired and durable concrete.

Concrete imaging which is also known by other names such as reinforcing steel imaging or surface/ground penetrating radar (GPR) technique is commonly used as an efficient method of detecting structures and materials (like reinforcing steel or rods which strengthen the building or structure) underneath the concrete structure.
Constructors, technicians, drilling and excavating companies and similar organizations invariably use this rebar imaging method as a prudent course of practice prior to commencing any construction related activity. The idea is to avoid any untoward incident or happening which may result by carrying out construction on any concrete surface without endeavoring to figure out what lies beneath. This in turn, leads to incurring of costs (which of course would not be anticipated) and may also lead to wastage of precious time and efforts eventually leading to possible law suits by those affected and delaying the concerned project which has not even started. Some of the possible hazards that may be anticipated include cutting or interfering with the piping, lines, cables or wiring (in particular, utility based materials) lying underneath.
The GPR device is commonly perceived as more accurate due to its sophisticated nature and is rather trendy and good looking as compared to other concrete scanning mechanisms that can be adopted and readily available for the consumers. GPR can range in size from 2×2 or 4×4 in three dimensional shapes.
On average, it takes around thirty minutes for such GPRs to process and provide the results including the all important task of collecting the data as received and processing it for reading (which is displayed on to the LCD screen of the GPR). GPRs work on wavelengths with low or short frequencies and hence can work perfectly well with rather small transmitters and antennas. The latter is an important and unique characteristic of this rebar imaging device hence making it stand out from other available scanners in the market. It is factors like these which can alter the decision making of a consumer who are spoilt for choices when they go out for purchasing such scanning devices. GPRs can be conveniently and safely used during the varying stages of any construction, including designing, depending on the judgment of the people on ground who may feel the need to scan a particular surface.
Hence, you can be comforted by the fact that a certain area is clear of any obstructions such as cables, wiring, pipes etc and commence the construction with clear instructions and confidence, as you have acted reasonably by adopting to the most prudent method available to you to avert any untoward or hazardous (including physical injuries or casualties) incident causing nuisance and problem for all concerned.
It cannot be emphasized enough that the readings, calculations and any related evaluation of the data and readings obtained through GPRs ought to be done by trained professionals and technicians who are well aware with the modus operandi of such a device and have had past experiences of using it, particularly in light of the fact that such pattern reading on LCD can be technical. This will cause and ensure that you are acting and relying on correct data and information.

The use of electromagnetic rays for the purposes of concrete slab x-rays has been in vogue for quite some time and forms the basis of initial inspection by invariably all the concerned who intend to carry out construction or building work in certain vicinity.
There are numerous organizations in operation who are expert in this business of concrete slab x-rays. Having said that, you ought to carry out the requisite due diligence and background check on the performance and modes that such organizations adopt in achieving the desired results. A comparative analysis of their profiles and the costs for such services ought to be conducted and on such basis an informed decision need to be taken to achieve the desired objectives and simultaneously comforting the safety and security measures that should be in place.
Such organisations commonly rely on the radioactive materials such as Cobalt 60 and Iridium 192 as a means of radiation to detect the obstructions in a structure or beneath the surface or ground.
It is quite common for bricks or slabs in thickness of around eighteen inches to be radiographed. However, shooting is only suggested for slabs within the thickness range of fifteen inches or lower. Such radiations are used to detect passages or conduits, reinforcing steel such as rods, beams and concrete, cable wires of any nature and thickness, plumbing works, fire break mechanism etc before drilling or cutting of the surface or structure can be undertaken, in particular, in tall structures and buildings.
It is quite common to shoot from the top end of a structure with the intention that the radioactive rays will penetrate through the slab in between and reflected through the film as placed at the ceiling at the bottom. This is by far one of the most precise and effective ways of detecting the obstructions, as mentioned above.
Of utmost concern and attention is the safety aspect which is often associated with the use of radioactive substances at open places and its exposure to humans. It is scientifically proven that radiations may have long term and harmful effects on the human body; hence this should be the foremost concern each time a structure of building is being x-rayed. Towards this, it is suggested that an area of hundred inch in diameter around the concerned area which will be exposed to radiation should be cleared so as to disallow people in such vicinity. Likewise, evacuation is also required within an area of around sixty inches in diameter around the concerned area where the film is situated.
Certain rituals ought to be performed prior to commencement of scanning. The lessor or building owner should be intimated before hand, elevator and emergency exits need to be marked specifying its usage or non-usage and the designation of the area for mobile x-ray darkroom should be appropriately identified (by means of sign boards or hoardings) and reserved.
Also, digital wall x-rays can be resorted to, to procure digital like pictures which will identify the obstructions, thereby making the drilling exercise through the walls much easier.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a non-intrusive and near surface equipment which is used to get images of concrete subsurface and other objects at a much higher resolution. In GPR surveys, data can be displayed or analyzed in different ways. In order to get a high quality of data presentation, the results of GPR investigation are further processed and displayed in a 3-dimentional color report. Developments regarding acquisition methodology, post-processing software and using high frequency antennas have helped much in producing high resolution 3-dimensional images of the internal environment of concrete structures.
GPR interprets the collected data and displays it in the form of visualizations which can be easily interpreted by the analysts. In fact, displaying of data is an integral part of interpretation which is done accurately by radar in the form of 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional images.GPR can provide good data of buried objects in concrete as well as of voids and imperfections in the ground more accurately as compared to other equipments due to its high resolution images. 3D imaging can visualize deterioration in the lower and upper parts of concrete structures and corrosion of reinforced steel.
Radar is comprised of two antennas i.e. transmitting and receiving antennas. Transmitting antenna delivers sound waves into the concrete structure or any other material to be tested. These sound waves reach the internal or hidden objects and are thus reflected back to the surface. The reflected signal is collected by the receiving antenna and then the variation in the reflected signal is evaluated to produce images. Generally antennas are dragged on concrete surface in transects within a grid. The reflections are recorded per second and by plotting them in a vertical profile, a 2-dimensional vertical slice of reflections can be produced. By collecting many transects in a grid, a 3D database is acquired.
Radar can generate easy-to-interpret images from continuous profiles and 3D images can assist in knowing additional information which is difficult to collect on a single GPR record. 3D images can be generated by GPR in several different ways. GSSI’s 16-bit 3D imaging program was not feasible due to its time consuming factor. This 3D imaging program consumed much time in getting field data and producing 3D images by first preparing 2D data. Moreover, its images were not meaningful enough. Sometimes the analysts were left confused regarding the exact location of underground utilities and voids when they used this software program. By using another software program named contour package, 3D imaging can be conducted without any consumption of time. This software has a special auto-pick program.
The images produced by full-resolution Ground Penetrating Radar are superior as compared to traditional 3D radar. The images generated by high resolution GPR are much easier to interpret than 3-dimensional images generated by traditional 3D radars. With the help of full-resolution images, the internal properties of concrete or other materials can be determined more accurately and precisely. Full- resolution data collection is beneficial in monitoring and evaluating concrete and other materials.

In the construction industry, concrete is tested before construction starts for various reasons. There are underground utilities like cables, conduit, metallic and non-metallic pipes, and sewer lines that need to be identified before any drilling or cutting should begin. Concrete testing methods are of two types: destructive and non-destructive. One of the most common destructive testing methods is drilling of core samples. Usually a steel tube is used to drill a hole in the structure, which not only causes damage to the structure but also sometimes gives inaccurate results. Different corers are used for different types of materials but they are all unsafe and destructive methods of testing concrete structures.
In non-destructive testing methods, the most common type is the use of radar or radioactive waves to obtain information about subsurface features. While destructive testing methods are time consuming and require a lot of manpower, non-destructive methods are not only safe and hazard free but are also quite fast. GPR or ground penetrating radar systems are becoming increasingly popular in the construction industry because of their reliability. The internal conditions of an object can be identified by using GPR without causing damage to the object. Other non-destructive methods work in a similar fashion.
Just like electromagnetic waves, some non-destructive concrete testing tools make use of sound waves to obtain subsurface information or buried objects. These waves are reflected by imperfections in the structures including cracks, voids, leaks, and other defects. Modern tools come equipped with computer software which can be used to visualize the internal conditions using graphs and charts. Most methods take the thickness of concrete as a base measurement and then calculate the probability of a flaw based on some other parameters. Some of these non-destructive concrete scanning methods provide up to 90% accurate results.
In destructive testing, the structures have to be repaired after testing has been done. Both types of testing methods can be used to test new as well as old concrete structures. Other than GPR, visual inspection, half cell electrical potential method, penetration residence, radiographic testing, tomographic modeling, and impact echo testing are also common non-destructive methods. All these methods have their own typical applications and some of them are popularly used in the construction industry.
Ground penetrating radar and some other non-destructive concrete testing methods are suitable for almost all types of concrete including reinforced concrete, hardened concrete, and prestressed concrete. Normally testing methods are employed to test the durability and strength of a concrete structure before it can be cut or drilled. In addition to this, NDT methods can also be used to determine the location of reinforcing bars and underground wiring, piping, and ducting. Defects such as corrosion can also be detected using ground penetrating radar and other non-destructive concrete testing methods.

In the manufacturing industry, inspection and testing are two important processes that must be carried out in order to assure the quality of the final product. Non-destructive concrete testing is done during the testing or examination phase. The requirements include chemical analysis of the concrete structure, mechanical properties of the reinforcement, location of the reinforcement, properties of the cement to be used, slump and pouring of the concrete, and control of compression test samples. There is an independent quality control department that inspects the structure at different stages and compares the result with the requirements stated in the contract.
Quality operators must be properly trained in order to detect the flaws and report them properly before any construction work could begin. If the staff is not experienced, the quality objectives might not be met. The management needs to ensure that proper measurement and monitoring is performed during all stages of quality assurance. These include customer satisfaction, process monitoring, data analysis for improvement, and internal audit of all processes, among other things. In the end, the management should ensure that all customer requirements have been met properly.
Organizations need to prepare procedures that describe what processes should be carried out for quality management. These procedures are prepared at three levels: system level, process level, and operation level. Before performing non-destructive testing, the testing department needs to employ different inspection methods to detect different types of flaws or defects depending on the characteristics of the material. This stage is known as intermediate inspection after which final non-destructive testing is done as a check that the previous testing was successful.
There is no universal standard for quality requirements; each organization has to define its own requirements depending on their procedures. However, non-destructive concrete testing methods require a preliminary description of standards or limits that must be considered during all phases. Different types of methods are employed for different types of concrete structures to detect maximum flaws. Because of this requirement, adequate and timely training must be provided to the staff to prevent imperfections in design and construction.
The details of non-destructive testing method to be utilized for testing are described in the technique. The technique identifies the testing method to be used as well as an important variable from another technique used within the same method. The main objective of quality control is to fulfill customer requirements and produce a product that is according to the specifications and has been built using minimum cost.
These quality control procedures are to be applied before or during the construction because once the product has been developed, the quality cannot be inspected. The final product must perform its job or function as planned or stated by the customer or the concerned organization.