Contractor
In construction, the ability of general, electrical and mechanical contractors to see what is below the surface can be invaluable. Buried electrical or communication conduit, fiber optics, natural gas and water lines can all be at risk when making improvements to existing structures or soils. Likewise, knowing the position and depth of reinforcing steel, post-tension and pre-stressed cables can be key when cutting or coring through concrete. By using Ground Penetrating Radar — GPR, to see below the surface, Diamond is able to provide a clear “subsurface image” of targets within concrete or soil. Before any digging or breaking of the surface begins on any given project Ground Penetrating Radar can be used to mitigate risks by providing accurate location and orientation of subsurface targets.
Related Case Studies
Subsurface Imaging (GPR), Post Tension Cable Location
Client
Apple Ridge Apartments, Kent Companies—Grand Rapids, MI
Project
Apple Ridge Apartments, a multiple unit, single level apartment complex needed to install drains in the bathrooms of two different apartment building units. Because the buildings were engineered with slab on grade and reinforced with post tensioned cables, the risk associated with damaging a cable during the installation of drains was great. Diamond was asked to provide a GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) survey to verify the location and depth of the post tension cables in order to safely install the drains.
Process
A Diamond engineer used a SIR 20 system with Radan software and onsite 3D capabilities. With the help of the system’s 1500 mHz antenna and the patented 3D Smart Pad technology Diamond scanned a 4’ by 4’ area in each of the apartments’ bathrooms to map the post tension cable locations.
Outcomes
According to Will Goosen of Kent Companies the alternative to using GPR was exploratory chipping, which is very dangerous around stressed post tension cables. “Safety was our main concern and using GPR proved to be a huge benefit to us,” he said. “Diamond, was able to locate the cables in minutes saving thousands of dollars in labor and the possibility of structural failure. I would not hesitate to The Diamond Engineer was knowledgeable and experienced and his response time was immediate. I would highly recommend Diamond to anyone who needs to see into concrete before demo.”