Ground Penetrating Radar Systems - GPRS - of Charlotte, North Carolina was contracted by a plumbing contractor to locate all reinforcement, post tension, and conduits within a concrete slab in order to advance a core for a plumbing pipe. The subcontractor needed to avoid all post tension, rebar, and conduits as requested by the general contractor and project engineer. Ground penetrating radar was used to scan larger areas so that the contractor would have options on placement. Unfortunately, the client was unable to drill the wall as they wanted to due to post tension being present. We were able to communicate with the client that they were dealing with a 2-way post tension slab approximately 12” thick. We informed the client there was a bottom layer of reinforcement, usually rebar, at about 10”. The closest banded post tension bundle was about 8’ away but we were able to confirm where it was to ensure safe drilling. We were also able to confirm the uniform cables and the pattern of a cable every 30”. We did not find any conduits in this particular area. All the findings were marked on the slab and we informed the client that they would either need to drill outside of the wall or drill on a different wall. In this situation the client needed to go back to the drawing board and find an alternative option, but they were glad they called because they would have drilled through a post tension cable if they didn’t.

Above you will find a photo of our findings. It is important that after we scan the requested areas, the contractor clearly understands what we found before we leave the jobsite. Clear communication is key, especially when you are trying to avoid hitting conduits or post tension cables. Ground Penetrating Radar Systems takes pride in keeping everyone safe on job sites by accurately and clearly marking all reinforcement, post tension, and conduits. GPRS offers other services, such as locating underground utilities before drilling soil borings, digging, or excavating, as well as locating underground storage tanks or tank “graves”. If you need anything scanned in the Charlotte area or anywhere else within the United States give us a call and we will have a SIM certified Project manager on your site as soon as possible. In the North Carolina/South Carolina area GPRS is usually able to get a project manager out to your site to complete the necessary GPR scans within 24-48 hours.

If you have any questions on how we can bring value to your project, please reach out to your local Ground Penetrating Radar Systems, LLC office at midatlanticinfo@gprsinc.com of call us at 919.671.9476. We look forward to serving you on your project.

GPRS does not provide geophysical, geological, land surveying or engineering services. If you need such services, please contact an appropriate professional.