Should You Use X-Ray or GPR for Concrete Scanning?

Many property managers in Toronto ask us to provide concrete X-ray for their building renovation projects. Traditionally, X-ray was used to locate embedded objects within concrete slabs, but in the past 10 years or so, with the great advancement technology, we use and recommend GPR for effective, efficient and safe concrete scanning service.

There is a huge difference in these two methods for concrete scanning and both have their own specific applications. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is the faster, more recent ground-breaking method for concrete scanning jobs and offers many advantages as outlined below compared to X-ray, which can cost about $2,000 to perform and is quickly becoming outdated due to its nature.

WHAT EXACTLY IS GROUND PENETRATING RADAR (GPR)? 
GPR is a non-invasive, non-destructive concrete inspection technology and testing method. We use state-of-the-art GPR equipment to detect and locate embedded objects or buried utilites in or under concrete slab and structures. Similar to fishing sonar, radar is bounced off objects below and data is relayed back to our GPR technicians' radar screen showing the position, depth and width of objects.

7 KEY BENEFITS OF GPR OVER X-RAY

• Real-Time Results: Immediate on-site non-destructive inspection results and concrete structure analysis along with on-site reporting.
• Cost-effective: Radar scanning of desired areas can be performed swiftly, while our experienced scanning technicians can quickly and accurately mark out any embedded objects located.
• Completely Safe: GPR equipment emits less signal than cell phones. No need to evacuate the job site or premises as there is no risk of harmful radiation exposure. No interference with sensitive equipment such as those found in hospitals, hydro-electric facilities, nuclear facilites and in and around airports.
• Scan Only One Side: in contrast to X-ray, only one side of the structure need to be accessed – making GPR ideal for scanning concrete slab-on-grade applications. GPR can also scan back-filled concrete such as tunnel walls or underground walls found in parking facilities.
• Daytime Operation: GPR scanning can be done during regular business hours, no problem. Day-to-day activities can take place at job sites and resume while scans are being performed, after hour night work is not necessary. GPR is also a very quiet process.
• No Exposure Time: Immediate results to find safe drilling and core locations. Allows for on-the-spot modifications to critical path by enabling the client to change work required such as concrete drilling or cutting locations, or rescan another area right away.
• Accurate and Efficient: When slab thickness is less than 4", accuracy is within +/- 0.5". When thickness is over 4", accuracy is within +/- 15%. Able to determine concrete thickness up to 4' 5", accurate within 4%. Identify object layout, approximate depth, geometry and position of conduit. 

LIMITATIONS OF GPR
While there are many pros to GPR technology, it is important to outline one of a few of the limitations. When water or moisture is present in concrete slab or soil, it reflects the signal inhibiting the GPR's effectiveness and reducing data quality. In order to obtain the exact images of objects, they must be X-rayed, though this is not always a necessity.

GPR EXPERTS IN TORONTO
​Target Radar Solutions offers expert concrete scanning and coring services across the Great Toronto Area. We use the latest GPR and Electromagnetic equipment, insisting on using industry-leader GSSI's systems. Our mission is to ensure safety and the highest level of service, allowing project managers to make informed decisions about their renovation or repair projects with accurate and well-interpreted subsurface scanning data.​

Widely becoming an industry best practice for commercial construction projects involving concrete structures, GPR is strongly recommended to add to due diligence procedures and safety policies.

GPR transmits electromagnetic waves

Concrete scanning with max 20" depth

Safely drill electrical openings in concrete wall slab

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