top of page

GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) for NDT Inspections

GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) for NDT Inspections

IPC utilizes a highly specialized and customized GPR system for non destructive testing

IPC's Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) configuration is invaluable for bridge inspections, roadway inspections, airport runways, underground utilities, concrete structures and parking garages. 

IPC uses an enhanced version of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) which is a Geophysical nondestructive testing (NDT) method that uses radar pulses to image the subsurface. This NDT method uses electromagnetic radiation in the microwave band of the radio spectrum and detects changes in subsurface materials.

*Void formations

*Pavement layer thickness

*Delamination and Pavement condition.

*Load Bearing Assessment  

*Deck and approach slab deterioration condition assessments

 Identifying 12 levels of deterioration.

*Corrosion Assessment

*Depth & Position of Rebar

*Rebar Assessment

*Delamination Assessment & more...

 

IPC has modified its GPR equipment to uniquely conduct bridge deck and bridge approachway assessments. IPC’s multifrequency systems can quickly perform the following bridge inspections:

  1. Deck and approach slab deterioration condition assessments Identifying 12 levels of deterioration.

  2. Reinforcement pattern and cover over reinforcement.

  3. Deck and approach slab delamination.

  4. Voids and water under approach slabs.

  5. Loss of fill density, voids and water within fill under approach slabs.

  6. Water intrusion through abutments and behind backwall.

Including:
Bridge Deck Assessment with GPR
Roadway Assessment With GPR
Airport Runway Assessment With GPR

GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) for Bridge Inspections

Roadway Inspections GPR
Utility Inspections
Anchor 2

Updating 50 year old chain dragging and inspection services with IPC's GPR will help save billions in infrastructure costs.  Finding early stage deterioration and making timely repairs will help maintain a healthy infrastructure for years to come.IPC developed a patent pending process called BridgeScan that is a complete bridge deck and bridge approach way assessment.  BridgeScan takes GPR and the reporting to the next level giving the DOT an action plan that allows for them to better allocate assets and preserve the service life of our bridges.

The following images are of bridge decks with light to severe levels of deterioration and delamination over various stages of its life cycle:

Bridge Deck Approach Slab Showing Levels of Deterioration With Ground Penetrating Radar "GPR"

Good Road Scan

This is what primary and secondary reinforcement mats look like in a bridge deck without deterioration / delamination.

Bad Road Scan

This is what deterioration / delamination look like when it reaches top reinforcing mat.

This is an image of a bridge deck in-service for 26 years. The total area of the deck shows 8.4% deterioration with small pockets of moderate to moderate/severe 19% to 23% deterioration.

This is an image of a deck deterioration assessment showing the majority of the deck in good condition with a section of the deck showing severe deterioration / delamination in red.

This is an image of a deck deterioration assessment of a bridge deck in-service for 76 years. The deck has 64% late stage severe deterioration. This is a sample of a deck where early stage deterioration was not detected and repaired. This deck is nearing its end of service life

Roadway Inspection Using IPC's 12 Levels Of Deterioration
               Area Tested                                         Scan Image                                          Comments

IPC's condition assessment report using GPR is the most detailed condition assessment of a bridge deck and slab available today. These inspections are in accordance with ASTM D-6087-8 and ASTHO Standards.

2D Comparison of slabs high levels of deterioration to a good section of the deck with low levels of deterioration.

This is a 3D deterioration depth analysis further indicating 61% severe deterioration. Notice large section of integrated solid red color.

This is a 2D sample of a good section of the deck with light deterioration. Notice smaller section and consistency differences of red color then above image.

Top of Deck

Top of Slab

IPC's (Infrastructure Preservation Corporation) GPR assessments can help provide the qualitative data that

engineers and asset managers need to make immediate repairs to ensure the public's safety as well as extend the life of our infrastructure assets. 

 

Void Detection is a serious problem that can be avoided with early detection. From problems associated with sinkholes, abandoned wells to underground shifting and decay that can cause a 

sinkhole to form.  If detected early during an inspection cycle

the void can be backfilled/ repaired prior to causing public harm.

 

GPR can also be used to locate underground storage tanks,

detect embedded rebar in concrete floors and walls as well as

other hidden elements in concrete.

Non Destructive Testing With Ground Penetrating Radar

Non destructive testing methods utilizing GPR have a lower cost and higher accuracy than any other methods currently being utilized.

 

IPC's proprietary GPR configuration and assessment reports provide high resolution output presentations that are cost effective, accurate and non subjective.  This allows the asset manager to immediately address any areas of concern faster and with more accuracy than before.

Keywords: Void Detection Void imaging, sinkhole detection,Non-destructive Assessment & Testing,Concrete Scanning Concrete imaging, rebar location, concrete GPR, concrete penetrating radar, void imaging,sinkhole detection,non-destructive testing,ndt,non destructive examinations.

Locate Sewers

Locate Pipes

Concrete Analysis

Locate Reinforcement Prior To Cutting

Locate Post Tension Cables

Locate Subsurface Voids

Concrete Assessment

Locate Underground Utilities

Slab on Grade Conduit Locating

Concrete Analysis

Locate Reinforcement Prior To Cutting

Locate Post Tension Cables

Locate Subsurface Voids

Concrete Assessment

Ground Penetrating Radar, GPR Can;

Insure the structural integrity of your structure by allowing IPC to properly detect post tension tendons and electrical conduits as well as assessing the strength and health of the concrete structure. In addition, prevent costly accidents during construction or rehabilitation by knowing where to drill without the risk of hitting a post tension cable or rebar. 

Locate Rebar and Post Tension Tendons within concrete

Complete Parking Garage Assessments.

Locate Electrical Conduits within concrete

Locate Voids hidden beneath concrete

Concrete Scanning with GPR

IPC's Ground Penetrating Radar Inspections eliminate the need for lane closures or subjective inspections providing the department of transportation with the data they need to make infrastructure critical decisions.

Measures Pavement Thickness at Highway Speeds, evaluate base and sub base surfaces with actionable items. In just one day IPC can assess hundreds of miles of pavement thickness. In addition IPC can locate voids below the road surface and any concrete structure.

Roadway Inspections with GPR

Concrete Inspections GPR

Contact us For More Information on GPR

Thanks! Message sent.

Utility and Pipeline Inspections

Underground Utility and Pipeline locating and mapping is made easy with IPC's ground penetrating radar tuned to locate underground utilities. Some of the applications include Electrical, Steam, water lines, communications, gas and oil,sewer and storm,pipeline inspections and more.  Call or email for more information.

IPC's (Infrastructure Preservation Corporation) GPR assessments can help provide the qualitative data that

engineers and asset managers need to make immediate repairs to ensure the public's safety as well as extend the life of their assets

Assignment examples:

 

1. Full design plans or as-built drawings for the purpose of performing a load rating analysis.

   Utilize NDT methods to identify voids, deck deterioration, rebar pattern and sizing, beam rebar sizing and spacing.

 

2. Provide void detection testing behind abutment wall to 20 feet out from backwall.

 

3.Create a plan view condition map of parking garage deck subsurface defects including moisture intrusion maps, deterioration and delamination.

 

4 Provide condition assessment of bridge deck and approachway using NDT technologies.

 

5. Provide condition assessment of a dock, including post tension cables, load ratings of the deck for containers and integrity of the sea wall.

6. Use GPR to locate underground utilities

7. Provide a condition assessment of a concrete pad for NASA

bottom of page