Ground Penetrating Radar Systems (GPRS) was recently contacted by a customer to locate the main electrical line feed for the Vivint Arena, home of the Utah Jazz. The public utility locator as well as another private utility locator had already tried their hand at finding this particularly elusive electrical conduit. The customer was very impressed with the thoroughness, creative problem solving, and variety of tools that GPRS brought to the jobsite.

Utility locating is as much science as it is art. At GPRS, we have the tools to locate gas lines, water lines, electric lines, telecommunication lines, underground storage tanks (USTs), septic tanks, duct banks, and even buried monitoring wells or water well heads. In addition to having an extensive suite of tools, we also have the training, experience, and knowledge base in our nationwide network of technicians to correctly interpret the data that our equipment returns.

Ground Penetrating Radar Systems, Inc. – GPRS – of Southern California was contacted by an engineering firm in order to scan for rebar. The scope of work included scanning an approximate 10’x12’ area on a concrete pad prior to anchoring 3’ for a new satellite that would be replacing an older one that was already removed. Within the area scanned, (3) large base plates are proposed to hold down the new satellite.  We found that the rebar was approximately 12” on center and in some areas it was 6” on center. In addition to the rebar scanning, we also scanned for the existing conduits where the new data and power are proposed to be. We traced on to existing ground wires and cables in the conduits to then mark out the conduits using Radio Detection.

Ground Penetrating Radar Systems’ Nashville, TN office was recently utilized on two separate projects to locate underground utilities at local schools.  McMurray Middle school is planning renovations and additions across the property. The environmental company hired to oversee the project hired GPRS to scan for and locate utilities not only in the areas that were slated for soil borings, but also for expansion areas.  Over the course of 2 days, GPRS scanned several acres on the school property and were able to clear the soil boring locations but also to identify several of the utilities in question, including primary water, power and gas services, secondary power, sanitary and data/comm lines to and from multiple buildings.  Working directly with the environmental company, GPRS was able to scan alternate areas when the soil boring crew hit refusal on bedrock. All findings were marked with paint/flags so they could easily be identified.

Electric, Data and Sanitary lines at McMurray on left and Gas at Marvin Wright on right.

 

A General Contractor had a project in Wrentham, MA inside of a new office building development. The scope of the project was to drill through the floor in multiple locations so that anchor bolts could be placed in the ground to secure multiple staircases. The drillers did not want to hit any radiant heating tubes because if they did, the entire floor would have had to be excavated and the radiant heating would have had to be repaired or redone entirely. The General Contractor decided to contact Ground Penetrating Radar Systems of Rhode Island after learning that they have been in business since 2001 and each technician has the experience of performing over 350 surveys per year. GPRS was able to complete the investigation the next day and allowed the project to proceed without hitting a single radiant heating tube. GPRS uses real time applications and were experienced enough to be able to locate all of the radiant heating in the scope of work and differentiate between the mesh in the floor, and the radiant heat tubes.

At the job site, GPRS scanned the new development in 12 locations where the anchor bolts were to be placed. The radiant heating was not ready to be turned on, so a thermal imager was not able to be used. With the vast knowledge and experience of the GPRS technician, the radiant heat was able to be mapped using only GPR. The General Contractor now had the information they needed to proceed with the project without causing any delays in the project going forward.

Ground Penetrating Radar Systems, Inc. – GPRS – of Wisconsin was contacted by a general contractor out of Milwaukee to scan areas on a roof for anchor point locations prior to installing a new cell tower on top of a high rise condo building in the Upper Peninsula. GPRS was required to scan multiple roof locations in order to identify critical targets and this led to the project staying on budget, on time, and safe. GPRS utilized GSSI’s palm antenna to get into these tight spots, a piece of equipment most companies don’t carry. But GPRS always travels with multiple tools to handle the toughest of jobs. GPRS arrived in the UP from our Appleton location NEXT DAY to provide the service. The contractor had been having difficulties with their previous scanning company and utilized GPRS on this project because of our capabilities, equipment, and rapid response to their sites. This contractor now utilizes GPRS on all of their scanning projects. 

Ground penetrating radar is a great tool to scan areas for post tension cables, rebar, and conduits, including PVC pipes and can also be used to locate underground utilities prior to digging or excavating.  For GPR needs in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Green Bay, Fond du Lac, Sun Prairie, Madison, Middleton, Monroe, Stevens Point, Eau Claire or anywhere else in the state not listed, contact your local GPR Expert. 

Ground Penetrating Radar Systems, Inc. can identify obstructions embedded in concrete slabs such as post tensioned cables, rebar, plastic and metal conduits, beams, etc. Our technicians have the ability to identify an anomaly’s depth with the accuracy of plus or minus a half inch to the top of the anomaly itself. Moreover, we can detect the lateral position of the anomaly with an accuracy of plus or minus a quarter of an inch to the top center of the anomaly itself. This is important to note because there are often times a customer has to drill into the concrete to install anchors to a specific depth on both remodels and new construction projects. The obvious benefit of having such a high degree of accuracy is that the customer will have an indication of whether or not it is safe to drill.  

GPRS, Inc. offers a response time unrivaled in the industry. Often times, we can schedule your project the same day or within a few days at the most. By delivering fast and accurate service, you can be sure your project remains on schedule and within budget. Our experienced technicians set the bar and offer professional services to meet the needs of the fast-paced construction industry.

This GPR scan took place over a beam in an elevator shaft of a new building being constructed in Plano, TX. The customer needed to identify the locations of the post tensioned cables running through the beam, so they could safely install anchors for the counterweight system. Concrete reinforced with post tensioned (PT) cables can cause serious injury or damage if struck during drilling operations. The PT cables needed to be clearly marked before the customer commenced deconstruction of the reinforced concrete slab.

David Hagenmayer with Ground Penetrating Radar Systems, Inc.,was contracted to scan the area requested and mark out all PT cables and obstructions in the concrete. David was able to determine the precise locations of the cables and the client was then able to safely and effectively drill for the anchors.

In the construction industry there are waves of development, especially in Orlando, FL. The Orlando International Airport is currently constructing a new south terminal. This requires a lot of planning with companies, contractors, engineers and so on. One of the head companies that is spearheading this project coordinates all of the contractors to keep things running smooth.

The project manager of this company recognized the needs of several of the contractors for ground penetrating radar or GPR work for some of the projects going on in the new terminal. One contractor needed to have pillars scanned to avoid hitting rebar when setting anchors for support beams. Another contractor needed to core drill holes for plumbing. The last one needed to install a metal structure and needed to drill into the foundation and did not want to hit rebar. The project manager recognized all of the needs for x-ray and called their GPR professionals at Ground Penetrating Radar Systems.

Once on site, the GPRS professional used their 1600MHz antenna, specifically designed to provide high resolution concrete images of the precise location of any rebar, post tension cables and electrical conduits.  Ground penetrating radar is an effective and efficient tool for accomplishing these goals. The use of a palm was also utilized. A palm antenna is an attachment the professionals use to reach overhead, scan walls or reach into tight areas. After the day was spent, the GPRS professional had the areas mapped out on the surface of the concrete. In some areas, permanent markers were used to avoid having the markings wash away in the rain. The other sensitive areas were marked with lumber crayons. Once the marking was complete, the ground penetrating radar specialist took time to explain the results so the contact would know exactly where to drill.  This ensured that the building did not face any structural damage and, more importantly, that the contractor was safe during the cutting process.  All parties were pleased with the results and the holes were drilled without incident.

You will see a picture below depicting Nate Schmoe, of GPRS, Inc. scanning the concrete surface.