Concrete scanning and imaging

Locate, conduits, post-tension cables, and voids.

What's the problem?

Do you need an accurate mapping of your concrete site? Detect subsurface materials and receive superior reporting before building.

concrete scanning diagram step electromagnetic locator

Determine and map the presence of embedded utilities. An electromagnetic sweep is conducted to detect live lines. Conduits must be marked to prevent any outages, injuries, and costly damages.

Trinity Subsurface employs EM technologies to detect utilities that may be outside of the GPR limitations. Using multiple tools and techniques ensures the area has been scanned as thoroughly as possible.

concrete scanning diagram step post tension cables

Locate post-tension cables and other hazards which would otherwise be undetectable with GPR. Contractors can safely core without causing power outages and widespread damage.

Our concrete imaging process leverages technical expertise to analyze complex mapping systems. Field employees can detect the thickness of suspended or on-grade concrete slabs. They assess the concrete condition for your team to safely cut as well as update blueprints.

concrete scanning diagram step voids

Over time, soil settlement or erosion contributes to a loss of stability beneath a slab or within walls/columns. Find voids, or air pockets, underneath the concrete with scanning techniques. They can appear over time as a sinkhole or be undetectable from the surface.

Determine the presence of voids that impact the structural stability. Over time, they could lead to a collapse of the slab. Make informed decisions with data-backed insights.

concrete scanning diagram step detect rebar

Concrete scanning is also used to analyze the structure condition in addition to the presence of embedded utilities. This includes measuring the concrete thickness, determining the rebar content, and gauging the spacing and depth within the slab.

During facility expansion or remodeling, eliminate guesswork before you cut. Damaging structural components and conduits within concrete can lead to building collapse or death.

concrete scanning diagram working from heights

Concrete scanning is used to check beams, bridges, ceilings, columns, floors, pylons, roofs, slabs, tunnels, or walls. Our field employees are confined space and working from heights certified.

After a scan is completed, our field employees generate a detailed report, documenting survey dates, utilities designated, equipment utilized, site contacts made, and any limitations or unusual field conditions encountered while performing the work.

concrete scanning and imaging service icon

prevent loss of structural integrity with precise concrete interior mapping.

CONCRETE SCAN REPORT

During concrete imaging, underground features are observed and documented with precision. Trinity Subsurface, LLC wants to set up an in-house demonstration with you to illustrate the accuracy of our equipment.

RElated services

Next step: locate a drain line and its direction during a scan.

video pipe inspection VPI service icon

video pipe inspection

understand what's underneath trademark trinity subsurfaceLearn More >
RElated services

Next step: build a detailed AutoCAD from concrete insights.

autoCAD or CAD mapping utility mapping service icon

CAD and utility mapping

understand what's underneath trademark trinity subsurfaceLearn More >

Our Process: Mark out to Mapping.

Get your questions answered

FAQs

How does concrete scanning work?

Our concrete imaging radar service is a combination of an electromagnetic and concrete penetrating radar survey. Our first step is to locate all known utilities (within and below a concrete slab/floor/column) using electromagnetic equipment.

Once the electromagnetic survey is complete, the work area is scanned using a concrete imaging radar device. Electromagnetic targets can be verified and confirmed. This allows engineers and project managers to make better building decisions and account for what’s underneath.

What can concrete scanning detect?

A concrete scan is critical to job site safety and can locate and identify objects within the concrete. This is done to prevent injury, damage, and additional costs during building.

A concrete scan can detect:
- Conduits
- Non-metallic / Metallic Utilities
- Post-tension Cables / Pre-tension Cables
- Pipes
- Rebar
- Mesh Reinforcement
- Slab Thickness
- Voids

Clients utilize our concrete scanning & imaging services to reduce the risk associated with core drilling and trench cutting. Trinity Subsurface, LLC can mark out the inside of an existing building. To build new tie-ins, project managers can leverage our field employees to find the underground utilities, such as sanitary sewer lines.

Can a scan show the difference in materials?

Our field employees complete a mark out during a concrete scan. Leveraging their expert field knowledge, they can differentiate the various subsurface features.

Field employees use GPR to locate reinforcing steel anomalies. Based on the pattern of the markings, field employees can determine what feature each marking indicates.

How accurate is the concrete scan and map?

Our locating technology allows Trinity Subsurface, LLC field employees to analyze objects embedded within and directly below the concrete surface. With superior technology and mark outs, Trinity Subsurface, LLC can confidently tell contractors, engineers, and project managers where they can safely drill. Break concrete without the risk of hitting subsurface materials.

For safety and caution, field employees will alert the contractor team to stay 3 " from any line that should not be hit. This allows for bar/tendon thickness.

How does concrete scanning compare to other methods?

Concrete imaging radar is safer and faster to perform in comparison to service alternatives like x-ray imaging. Therefore, it’s more cost-effective for the average construction or engineering project to choose Trinity Subsurface, LLC for their concrete scanning needs.

Unlike X-Ray scanning services, GPR imaging does not emit harmful radiation. The device is FTC compliant, so it is safe to use in a variety of environments including airports, hospitals, and sensitive government sites.

What are the standard deliverables or documentation provided?

In addition to a superior utility mark-out using paint, chalk, or crayon Trinity Subsurface provides a concrete scan report. This documentation can help project managers obtain the excavation permits needed to proceed with construction work.

This data includes:
- Survey dates
- Subsurface features designated
- Equipment utilized
- Site contacts made
- Any limitations or unusual field conditions encountered while performing the work

We’ll also draft a field sketch depicting the embedded utilities and/or structural members we found or verified. Our field sketch will be formatted on our 11″x17″ sketch template and drawn digitally in the field by hand.