Detecting Reinforcement Bar at Landsborough Sewerage Treatment Plant
South-East Scanning was contracted by SMEC, a construction engineering company based on the Sunshine Coast, to help with the inspection of a sewerage treatment plant in Landsborough, inspecting for reinforcement bars inside a grit tank. Proposed works at the Landsborough Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) including a redesign and redevelopment of the grit tank structure. A lack of reinforcement bars inside the concrete tank structure would result in a multi-million-dollar upgrade project, whereas the presence of existing reinforcement would mean that the project cost would be approximately $650,000, a significant saving for the client. The Landsborough STP is an approximately 50-year-old structure for which there were no existing plans. The findings of our report would determine the extent of the upgrade works required.
The first step in our inspection was to identify reinforcement bars inside the grit tank using our IDS Georadar C-Thrue™ handheld concrete scanner. This was attached to an extension pole, with our technician supported by a harness due to the working-at-heights requirements of the job, as the interior of the grit tank had an approximately 5-meter drop. The C-Thrue™ was able to detect the presence of reinforcement bars from the surface of the structure, with a rapid swath indicating the presence of reinforcement bars at 50mm from the surface of the concrete with 200mm spacings between the bars.
The results of our inspection were used to provide a report outlining the extent of the reinforcement work required, which would allow SMEC to provide an accurate costing of the renovation and upgrade project. The use of our C-Thrue™ helped us to identify the presence of reinforcement bars quickly and easily, saving the client time and money, as well as providing them with valuable information about the structure of the grit tank that would not have been possible through any other means.
South-East Scanning’s experience and knowledge of ground-penetrating radar technology allowed us to carry out this inspection with precision and clarity, with our findings contained in a comprehensive report.
Scanning concrete using ground-penetrating radar technology allows for the rapid procurement of information that may be vital to your project. Our expertise in GPR can assist in your construction project. To see an example of our client reporting, contact South East Scanning!
