GeoScan: Utility and Structural Investigation
  • Blog
  • Contact

GPR vs. X-Ray, Choose according to your Needs

5/22/2014

0 Comments

 
When it comes to technologies regarding underground services in Melbourne and Geelong areas, confusion between GPR — ground penetrating radar and X-Ray is bound to happen. Let us have a look at some of the basics of both of them.

GPR — Ground Penetrating Radar

GPR technology exploits safer radio waves as opposed to gamma rays used in concrete x-ray technology. One of the greatest things that differentiate GPR from x-ray technology is its capacity to give real time results. Underground services providers use ground penetrating radar precisely for this reason.

X-Ray:

The term is very often misleading as many builders when they approach underground services provider use this to mean GPR. One of the reasons for the confusion is that this is an old technology which is accurately called cement or concrete radiography. Its main purpose is to identify any object underground by taking x-ray images of the layers.

While x-ray images are quite clear compared to GPR facts, it often consumes more time. Also, since it uses gamma rays, nearby places need to be evacuated before carrying out x-ray imaging.

Points of Comparison

  • Accessibility: Ground penetrating radar allows to access only one side of the slab for scanning whereas concrete radiography allows access to both the sides of slabs. In that sense, GPR has limitations as far as thickness of the slabs are concerned. While using x-ray, one side takes the film while the other a reflector plate. Devices based on iridium radiography, can penetrate up to twelve inches whereas devices that use cobalt radiography can go down up to maximum thirty-six inches.
  • Resolution: Since, ground penetrating radar uses only one side of the slab, the resolution often gets blurry whereas x-ray technique yields better resolution of the slabs. 
  • Cost: As the ground penetrating radar technology is getting evolved, the cost associated with it is getting lower in comparison to concrete radiography. Following are reasons why concrete radiography is expensive:

                      (a) Concrete x-ray is confined to one section at a time
                     
                      (b)  Also, during x-ray scanning, nearby places need to be evacuated which causes loss of time
                     
                      (c) Technologically, GPR allows the use of digital image even after the test. This makes processing and manipulation                               lot easier and less expensive

                       (d) Compared to GPR, concrete radiography requires more expensive training as well as equipments

What to use when

Though it is true that GPR is replacing concrete radiography quite faster, it depends on your requirement which technology is best suited to your projects.

Professional and experienced underground services providers in Melbourne and Geelong areas listen to your requirements carefully and then decide the best suitable technique.

These are some of the factors that play a major role in deciding which technique is best suited to your project.

Ponder over these factors, check with professionals if you are still not sure which of these should best suit you, and make an informed choice before you actually start your ambitious project.

0 Comments

Some things about Acoustic Water Detection Method

5/22/2014

0 Comments

 
Until the advent of acoustic water detection method, world had been in a perpetual torment when it came to detection of leaks in underground pipes. There are many methods to detect underground objects and leakages such as ground penetrating radar, electromagnetic activity, and ultra-high microwave frequencies. But, acoustic water detection method has its own benefits.

Following are some of its benefits:

  • Cost effective and easily accessible
  • Non-invasive and therefore quite easier to operate
  • Gives tremendous benefits to industries such as natural gas pipelines, sewer lateral
  • Gives faster and immediate results
  • Saves money, time and energy

Let us have a cursory look at various types of acoustic methods prevalent in many areas of Geelong and Melbourne.

Conventional rod method

This is a bit old-fashioned, but there are some underground services providers who rely on this. In this method, rods are held over the ground to identify subsurface locations. The location is determined by the movement of the rods.

Use of water meter

In this method, the basic principle is to create a sound around the metal pipes with the use of an advanced leak detector or other such monitoring system. Usually, it takes one trained professional to operate it. It is important that the person knows how to operate the device to get the accurate data.

Gas pipe locator

This method requires putting pressure wave with pulsing sound into subsurface water. This can be done through hydrant or water meter. This method is bit complex as it may require more human resources. If this method needs to be used for residential lines, instead of water meter, pipe locator or water detection services are used.

One of the major benefits of using acoustic water main detection in Geelong and Melbourne areas is that it solves the problems with PVC pipelines. It is very difficult to find out leakages in such pipes with other types of technology. But, acoustic water detection makes it easier to find leakages in such pipes. Hence, the leakages in these pipes which remained undetected for 20 years earlier now can be detected within minutes!

How to find reliable acoustic water main detection service provider?

While there are many such providers in Geelong and Melbourne, you may want to check their experience, expertise, types of technology they use and types of accreditations they are having. Major accreditations are:

  • Australian plant locators license (Telstra) for Telstra copper and optic fiber cables
  • Australian petroleum industries accreditation
  • Rail accredited Level 1 track awareness
  • Dial Before You Dig registered
  • Construction industry accredited (red card)
  •  OH&S company representative accredited

It is also important to check what kind of customer care services is being provided by acoustic water main detection service providers. For example, if you have any emergency, are they ready and equipped to assist you in the time of distress?

Make a right choice of your acoustic main detection services provider based on these factors. 

0 Comments

Things to Consider before Choosing Best Underground Services Provider

5/21/2014

0 Comments

 
Any industry dealing with digging up the ground can take for granted importance of best underground services provider at its own peril!

Such industries may include engineering plants, telecommunications, electricity, archaeology, among many others. One common thing that all these industries share is their need to have clear ground to execute their ambitions projects. It is here that they need to be careful in choosing their underground services provider.

There are so many underground services providers in Melbourne and Geelong area that it is a daunting task to find the one that is right for you. Let us have a look at some of the things that you need to consider before finalizing your underground services provider.

Types of services

It is very important to check what kind of services they are providing to their customers. If they are providing many types of services, it means they have the knack of the industry and they know what it is to provide underground services to their clients. Major underground services available in Melbourne and Geelong area include:

  • Acoustic water pipe detection
  • Cable fault detection
  • Ferrous metal detection
  • Ground penetrating radar imaging
  • GIS
  • Underground pipe and cable location

Knowledge of technology, equipment

It is obvious that you want to avail the services from those who use latest technology and advanced equipments. When you are considering your underground services provider, you need to find out what technology they are using and with what equipments they execute their knowledge. Some of the technologies to look for include:

  • High frequency antennas for concrete scanning
  • Simple-to-use acoustic pipe locator
  • Flexible tracer rods to carry out underground pipe detection
  • Latest ground penetrating radar equipment to locate and calculate the size, length and width of the project

Customer Care

Check what their customer care service is all about. When it comes to underground services, at times, there may be an emergency. It would be very important to know whether they are equipped to handle any such emergencies.

Accreditations

These are very crucial benchmarks to find out authenticity of underground services provider. Do check for such accreditations as these accreditations mean that the service provider knows the importance of rules, regulations and permits. Following are some of the important accreditations to look for:

  • Australian plant locators license (Telstra) for Telstra copper and optic fiber cables
  • Australian petroleum industries accreditation
  • Rail accredited Level 1 track awareness
  • Dial Before You Dig registered
  • Construction industry accredited (red card)
  • OH&S company representative accredited
  • First aid level two

Testimonials

Do not forget to check the experiences of other customers. It always helps in decision making process. True and authentic testimonies reflect services providers' ability to execute the projects efficiently and skillfully.

These are some of the things you need to consider before choosing best underground services provider in Melbourne and Geelong areas.

0 Comments

Types of Underground Services Provided by GeoScan in Geelong

4/23/2014

0 Comments

 
If you are looking for any type of underground services in Geelong, do check out Victoria-based GeoScan Utility Location Service. It is a company that provides a range of underground services with the help of advanced technology to locate underground assets and execute site survey investigations.

Have a look at our major services.

Acoustic water main detection service in Geelong

The purpose of acoustic water main detection technique is to address the challenges earlier faced by using electromagnetic locators to identify underground pipes, cables and conduits. With the advent of this advanced technique with its simple-to-use acoustic pipe locator, it has become easier to provide underground investigations in Geelong area with state-of-the-art equipments.

GeoScan Utility employs fully trained human resources who are constantly updated with the changes in technology. Also, we give equal importance to each of our customers along with providing 24/7 emergency response service throughout Victoria, NSW, Tasmania and South Australia including Melbourne and Geelong. 

Underground Pipe and Cable Location

This service can be used in different areas such as domestic water services, fire services, gas networks, electrical networks - both high and low voltage, telecommunications, storm water, sewer or drainage conduits among others. When it comes to metal detection, GeoScan induces an electromagnetic signal to identify the targeted object. The purpose of using this powerful latest technology is not only to identify the location of the object but also its depth and size. This information can go a long way in any type of excavation demanding less time and energy.

Ground Penetrating Radar Imaging   

With the introduction of this geophysical technique, it has become easier to image objects, changes, voids or cracks or any other activity happening under the surface. The objects may include rock, soil, ice, fresh water, pavements and structures. Some of the best clients of GeoScan Utility include engineering companies, organizations/people interested in environmental studies and even archaeology. 

GeoScan is committed to take full advantage of this technology. As a result, we use latest equipment to execute ground penetrating radar imaging process. The equipment is not radioactive and is operated by electromagnetic signals. Our equipment does not require you to connect GPR to any services like underground pipe or cable locators. Other benefits include:

  • Accurate information of size and depths of underground objects
  • Can be used even on rough terrain
  • Information can be stored in USB stick

Other underground services provided by GeoScan Utility Location Service include: 

  • Cable fault detection
  • Concrete scanning
  • Metal detection
  • Site survey and drafting

Having obtained range of technical capacities and accreditations, GeoScan Utility has become a trusted name in Geelong area when it comes to providing various types of underground services. One of the major accreditations that we have is Australian plant locators license (Telstra) for Telstra copper and optic fiber cables and Dial Before You Dig.

Give us a call and see we can do for you and explore possibilities together. 

0 Comments

Benefits of Concrete Scanning by Expert Professionals

4/23/2014

0 Comments

 
Are you any engineering company planning to set up a new plant?

Are you a contractor starting to build any new building?

Are you a home owner planning to build your dream home?

In all this case, a looming scare that remains in air is that of what lies beneath the surface. It is to remove this scare and give you green signal to go ahead with your project fearlessly and confidently that concrete scanning comes into picture.

Reasons for concrete scanning by expert professionals:

While the scare of what lies beneath is a very abstract term to use, let us have a look at some more concrete reasons for why you need professional help to execute concrete scanning by expert professionals at GeoScan in Geelong:

  • To locate whether there is any type of cable buried under the surface
  • No contractor or company can afford to lose human life or damage the property
  • To safely avoid subsurface installations
  • To assure safety of workers and bystanders


Concrete scanning per se

This is a non-destructive (NDT) modern technique that is exploited to clear the subsurface from any hindrances that may impact any type of excavations adversely. This technology has improved a lot over all these years enabling any type of detection under any type of slab.

Type of detection carried out by GeoScan in Geelong

When you approach professionals like GeoScan for concrete scanning, you are rest assured to get your desired results. Professional companies like GeoScan can detect following objects that may hinder excavations:

  • Structural Steel (Rebar and Ligature Identification)
  • Post Tension cables (PT'S)
  • Pipes and Conduits (Services in Structures)
  • Live Electrical Wiring present in Structures
  • Heating Lines (Concrete Slab Heating)
  • Concrete Assessment and Structural Investigation, such as looking for voids and Structural Deterioration.


Benefits of concrete scanning by expert professionals

One of the greatest benefits of availing professional services for concrete scanning in Geelong are obvious. You save both time and money as pre-scanning of your targeted land eliminates the possibility to spend more money in case of hitting or cutting through live electrical wires, post tension cables or any type of object while digging the land.

It naturally saves your time as you do not have to put aside your core work in the middle of the excavation. Apart from these two obvious benefits of availing concrete scanning services by professionals in Geelong, another benefit is that of obtaining detailed reports and documentation for future reference. Professionals like GeoScan Utility offer a comprehensive report for concrete scanning. This report includes detailed findings, images that indicate depths and space between structural objects.

Professionals like GeoScan use latest equipment with high frequency 1.6 MHz and 2.3 MHz antennas to carry out flawless concrete scanning. This enables:

  • Analysis of concrete, brick structures and asphalt layer thickness
  • Any type of structure can be looked into: floor slab, suspended floor slab, walls, ceilings, concrete roof beams, columns, tunnel structures etc.
  • Identification of concrete slab thickness


Do you need more reasons to avail professional concrete scanning services by GeoScan in Geelong?

Call us right NOW.

0 Comments

Locating Underground Water Pipes

11/21/2013

0 Comments

 
GeoScan Utility & Structural Investigation has the capability to locate underground water pipes promptly and efficiently. The company has a complete range of contemporary equipment like the pipe and cable locator. Its electro-magnetic feature generates a signal that creates a path along the service and gets hold of electrical depths. Meanwhile, the non-metal components which include drain systems and empty channels are found by using tracer rods. These are inserted into the pipes which produces a signal alongside the tracer bar.

Underground infrastructure becomes more complex for the most part because of blockage factors. Therefore, the appropriate equipment for detecting underground pipelines becomes more necessary. The reality is the concentration of subterranean traffic creates additional challenges even for experts, utility firms and excavation contractors. It is essential to get hold of the most dependable service provider for finding pipe lines, cables, and faults such as GeoScan. 

This company based in Australia makes use of state-of-the-art apparatus which passes on electro-magnetic signals into metallic compounds and tracks down a signal medium while securing electrical power for this particular service. Non-metallic components like sewer systems or vessels can be detected using bendable rods which are inserted into the ducts. The signal is transmitted to the tracer rod.

GeoScan Utility & Structural Investigation is a company based in Victoria which provides multiple services. The engineers and technicians of GeoScan are known for their technical expertise, complete training and accreditations. The tasks that this company undertakes are relatively complicated. However, it has managed to pas with flying colors. The company has complete insurance and liability coverage for all its employees. 

It conducts modern concrete scanning services using a reliable and harmless technique of discovering targets located in concrete structures. This is usually done prior to drilling, cutting or mechanical core operations. Said procedure is vital to stay away from severe effects on existing facility infrastructure, worker welfare, concrete cutting machines and safety.

GeoScan owns and makes use of sophisticated systems, which include the Ground Penetrating Radar. GPR equipment utilizes non-destructive examination methods. This unique type of radar detection in concrete scanning is provided by GeoScan, for the quick inspection of job sites without any hindrance. At the same time, it helps in the preservation of structures and prevention of work downtime. It also bring about reduction of unnecessary costs since the Ground Penetrating Radar can get rid of expensive task downtime or other obstacles that may come from possible structure damage, facility closure caused by disconnected utility lines, or injuries to workers. The cost of the GPR is quite affordable as against actual project value, cost of accidents, structure impairment, or personal injuries.

GeoScan has received accreditation form plant locators accredited by Telstra; the Australian Industries Petroleum; Train Tracking Awareness; Occupational Health and Safety Industry; and, Safety and Environmental Management Plan. GeoScan also has the capability of doing technical project management in hydro and vacuum excavation, safety management programs and traffic management plans. Indeed, its credentials make the company a perfect choice for complex jobs.

0 Comments

    Archives

    September 2017
    February 2016
    November 2015
    May 2014
    April 2014
    November 2013

    Categories

    All
    Acoustic Water Pipe Detection
    Cable Detection
    Concrete-scanning-service
    Ground-penetrating-radar
    Underground Service
    Underground Water Pipe Detection
    Utility Location Service

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Blog
  • Contact