Concrete may look solid on the outside, but voids, air pockets, and fractured layers can be hidden beneath the surface that compromise structural integrity. Two common culprits? Honeycombing and delamination can lead to serious failures if not detected early. At South-East Scanning, we use Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) to nondestructively assess concrete conditions, helping engineers, asset managers, and builders identify weak spots before they become critical problems. When caught early, these issues can be addressed affordably before they evolve into major structural or safety hazards.
What Is Honeycombing?
Honeycombing occurs when concrete fails to fully compact during pouring, leaving air pockets and voids behind. These voids reduce concrete density and can allow moisture ingress, leading to corrosion of embedded reinforcement and eventual structural weakening. While surface defects may be patched over, GPR sees through the surface, identifying the depth and extent of internal honeycombing without drilling or coring.
What Is Delamination?
Delamination refers to layers within a concrete slab or structure separating due to poor bonding, corrosion, or thermal movement. This can result in spalling, cracking, and premature degradation. GPR identifies these delaminated zones by detecting subtle reflections and signal phase changes, providing valuable insights to structural engineers assessing repairs or rehabilitation strategies.
In one recent job in Brisbane, our team used GPR to assess a multi-level car park suspected of having structural issues. While visual inspection revealed minimal surface damage, GPR scanning uncovered extensive honeycombing behind the column faces and delaminated zones in the suspended slab. Because the problem was identified early, the client avoided a costly closure and scheduled targeted remediation before the damage spread.
We’ve seen similar patterns across the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, especially in exposed concrete structures along the coastline. Salty air, fluctuating humidity, and heavy use all accelerate wear – surface damage isn’t always a reliable indicator of what’s happening inside. GPR gives project managers the confidence to prioritise critical repairs and avoid unnecessary demolition.
For asset owners managing aged infrastructure, GPR provides excellent baseline data for long-term monitoring. With repeat scans, we can track how internal defects progress over time—empowering maintenance teams to take action before conditions deteriorate to unsafe levels.
At South-East Scanning, we combine high-resolution GPR equipment with trained analysis to interpret even subtle signs of degradation. We’re not just collecting data—we’re helping you understand the health of your structure from the inside out.
Whether planning renovations, asset condition assessments, or forensic investigations, GPR scanning is your first defence against hidden concrete failure. Let’s make your structures safer—before cracks begin to show.
If you have honeycombing present in you’re concrete, reach out to us at South East Scanning so we can asses you’re situation and ensure you’re concrete will stay strong increasing longevity.
