Concrete Imaging, Inc.
Serving the DC-Baltimore Metro Area Since 2002
About Us
Our highly-trained operators have mastered a variety of techniques and equipment and are skilled at providing quick, efficient, and accurate inspections in projects of any size. We offer a range of options that save you time, reduce your financial exposure, and decrease your safety risks, including:
- Concrete radiography (x-ray imaging);
- Concrete scanning (GPR - Ground Penetrating Radar);
- Utility locating (passive, induction, and direct line trace);
- CCTV pipeline inspections;
- Concrete cutting and core drilling; and
- Concrete repairs.
Our Services
Digital Radiography (X-Ray)
Concrete x-ray is the non-destructive application of hard x-rays or gamma rays to image the interior of a concrete target to identify and locate rebar, conduit, post tension cables, and other embedded objects.
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High Definition Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
High Definition GPR uses an electromagnetic energy pulse to locate embedded items and anomalies in concrete slabs and surfaces. This technology is considered non-invasive and is safe to use in occupied buildings, such as hospitals and hotels.
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Utility Locating
Our underground utility location services help you to complete your project as safely and efficiently as possible. Using the latest technology, we locate and map any and all public or private underground utilities and structures to develop detailed reports for you.
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High Definition CCTV Pipeline Inspection
CCTV inspection allows operators to monitor pipes and pinpoint problems such as breaks, obstructions, and cracks without costly shutdown or dewatering. It provides real-time imaging for inspection of pipes made of various materials, including metal, concrete, plastic, and fiberglass.
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Concrete Cutting and Core Drilling
We don't just prepare your space; we are a full-service company offering services to complete your concrete-cutting or concrete-coring projects from start to finish.
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Repairs and Joint & Crack Sealing
Concrete pavement repairs can range from partial depth spall repairs to slab replacement. Repair and sealing capabilities can be used for many structures, including highways, airport, parking lots, and bridges.
Learn MoreF.A.Q.
CAN YOU PERFORM AN X-RAY IF OUR BUILDING IS OCCUPIED?
Though we use tools with far less radiation emissions than many competitors, we still perform x-rays only in restricted areas, thus services to be performed in occupied buildings require tenant coordination. We will take every precaution to ensure a safe and successful imaging service for your project.
We recommend that we first complete a site safety analysis and meeting with management to coordinate a service time that offers minimal impact to your operations. To get started, you should:
Once we are on site, we will review the work area, post signage and tape off access points, and then set up our equipment. During this time, we will need access to all offices and suites on the relevant floors to personally ensure those areas have been vacated.
We recommend that we first complete a site safety analysis and meeting with management to coordinate a service time that offers minimal impact to your operations. To get started, you should:
- Notify your office/building manager about the service;
- Coordinate a time when all tenants and service personnel are off site (any floors the penetrations are going through or coming out); and
- Notify us of how thick the concrete surface is.
Once we are on site, we will review the work area, post signage and tape off access points, and then set up our equipment. During this time, we will need access to all offices and suites on the relevant floors to personally ensure those areas have been vacated.
CAN YOU SCAN CONCRETE THAT IS THICKER THAN 10"?
Yes, we are experienced in using Cobalt 60, a stronger isotope whose limitations are closer to 24" thickness. However, the use of Cobalt requires certain accommodations due to its size, weight, and radiation emissions. Contact us to discuss the details of your project needs.
WHAT IS DIGITAL CCD TECHNOLOGY?
We have invested in digital CCD technology instead of the traditional film radiography. It is around 90% more efficient and offers many benefits over the former method, including a drastically reduced radiation output as well as signficantly faster exposure times. With digital radiography, we no longer need a darkroom for film processing, and processing is done near real time, on the floor where the penetrations are.
DOES CONCRETE IMAGING POSE ANY HEALTH RISKS?
X-Ray
Concrete Imaging has invested into digital CCD technology, which offers a significantly reduced radiation signature and emissions over the traditional method; however, x-rays have potential to be harmful and therefore, we take precautions, such as clearing the location, to ensure a safe and successful imaging service. When x-raying is to be performed in an occupied building, we recommend performing a site safety analysis then meeting with management to coordinate our work to minimize disruptions.
GPR
In comparison, the typical power output of a GPR antenna is less than that of a cell phone, so this method presents no health concerns. GPR is a quiet, safe process, so we can accomplish it without interference to your ongoing operations around us.
Concrete Imaging has invested into digital CCD technology, which offers a significantly reduced radiation signature and emissions over the traditional method; however, x-rays have potential to be harmful and therefore, we take precautions, such as clearing the location, to ensure a safe and successful imaging service. When x-raying is to be performed in an occupied building, we recommend performing a site safety analysis then meeting with management to coordinate our work to minimize disruptions.
GPR
In comparison, the typical power output of a GPR antenna is less than that of a cell phone, so this method presents no health concerns. GPR is a quiet, safe process, so we can accomplish it without interference to your ongoing operations around us.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN X-RAY AND GPR?
GPR and x-ray are the two primary methods used for concrete testing, and they vary in safety precautions, cost of service, time needed for performing the service, and site restrictions. In general, GPR is the most efficient, cost-effective, and non-destructive concrete scanning choice. It is highly accurate; however, in certain circumstances, x-ray may be recommended for a more accurate picture. GPR offers a nearly unlimited coverage area and high resolution imaging, but wet or extremely congested decks can scramble the signal and result in low visibility. While X-ray is less convenient and more time consuming, it offers the best quality imaging.
| GPR | X-Ray | |
| Source | Electromagnetic | Radioactive |
| Radiation Exposure | Very Minimal | Yes |
| Required Access to Scan | One Side | Both Sides |
| Scan Time | ||
| Electromagnetic Interference | No | Yes |
| During Business Operations | Yes | No – Area Must Be Cleared of People |
| Standard Scan Size | 24” x 24” | |
| Real-Time Inspection | Yes | Yes |
CAN YOU SCAN VERTICAL SURFACES AND CEILINGS?
Yes, we regularly use our equipment to scan concrete columns, walls, and occasionally, even the underside of a floor.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SCAN AN AREA USING GPR?
Ground penetrating radar is an extremely efficient and fast technology. Large areas can be scanned quickly with ease. Our standard layout for a typical location is 2' x 2', which generally takes about takes about 10 minutes to scan and mark.
CAN GPR TELL ME THE SIZE OF A VOID CAVITY BELOW THE GROUND?
Yes, GPR can tell the area where the void is occurring as well as clearly identify its boundaries; however, it cannot determine the depth from the top of the void to the bottom of the void.
WHAT IF THERE IS FLOORING OVER THE CONCRETE?
No problem! GPR can scan through any kind of floor covering (carpeting, hardwoood floors, tile, stone, etc.) except fine wire mesh below floor tile, unless there is more than a 1/2″ air gap between the floor covering and the concrete (rigid insulation or foam, thick carpet padding, etc.)
CAN GPR IDENTIFY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REBAR, POST TENSION CABLES, ELECTRICAL CONDUITS, AND OTHER EMBEDDED MATERIALS?
GPR does not determine what type of object is being located; however, our technicians are experienced at using all available data in identifying the type of embedded object that is present. We first locate and map out the rebar grid. Rebar, when placed in concrete, has tendency to stay about the same plane, with a typical pattern with 12-to-18 inch centers. Anything noted that is in between grids, angled to grids, or that have a different return signature than the grid signatures, we regard as a conflict. Most often, when something is on an angle through a square layout, it will be a conduit. Post tension cables tend to be spaced further apart, depending on the building’s design and whether they are banded or uniform tendons.
Our technicians will not confirm the identity of the item noted, only note it and make you aware where we believe the target is, the direction and depth as per the display rendered from the survey equipment. We magnify these items when we draw out the rendering on the slab to give you a safety boundary; however, we highly recommend an x-ray be performed, if possible, to confirm whether or not you will have a safe path to penetrate.
Our project managers will leave you feeling confident in the survey findings and in your ability to drill or cut without issue.
Our technicians will not confirm the identity of the item noted, only note it and make you aware where we believe the target is, the direction and depth as per the display rendered from the survey equipment. We magnify these items when we draw out the rendering on the slab to give you a safety boundary; however, we highly recommend an x-ray be performed, if possible, to confirm whether or not you will have a safe path to penetrate.
Our project managers will leave you feeling confident in the survey findings and in your ability to drill or cut without issue.
ARE THERE ANY LIMITATIONS TO GPR TECHNOLOGY?
Though recent advances in GPR hardware and software have improved the technology, some limitations still exist. These include:
- Radar waves cannot penetrate metal; therefore, if steel storage tanks are present on the site, GPR will not be able to see inside them, nor assess their condition. Further, objects behind steel may be obscured and not observable.
- Radar performance is driven by the characteristics of the sensor, the targets, and the competing background clutter. An object may be observable at a shallow depth, but the same object may be invisible at a greater depth. High-conductivity materials, such as clay soils and soils that are salt contaminated, reduce the depth of GPR ground penetration.
- Signal scattering in heterogeneous conditions (e.g. rocky soils) limit performance
- Interpretation of GPR radargrams (the radar image of mineral deposits or a geophysical surface) is not intuitive. Considerable expertise is necessary to effectively design, conduct, and interpret GPR data.
- the composition of the concrete structure being penetrated, such as the moisture content and density;
- the depth of the target;
- the different velocities of radar signals travelling through different types of materials;
- areas with strong electromagnetic signals; and
- areas containing a complex assortment of objects.
CAN YOU DETERMINE THE TYPE OF UTILITY LOCATED?
No, we cannot. We can generally find the utility without much difficulty, but we cannot determine if the piping is gas, or water, etc. However, our experienced technicians can often trace the utility to valve, meter, control box, or other type of signifying marker, thereby determining the utility.
HOW LARGE OF AN AREA CAN BE SCANNED FOR UTILITY LOCATIONS IN ONE DAY?
The size of the area that can be accurately located in one day will vary based on the project site itself. Often times, vacant fields that are many acres in size can be scanned with great speed as the expected congestion of utilities is low. On the other hand, a small property located on a busy metropolitan street could be very time-consuming as the anticipated utility congestion is high.
CAN YOU FIND PVC AND OTHER NON-METALLIC UTILITIES?
Yes, while metallic utilities are easier to locate, we do locate PVC, fiber optic, concrete, and other non-metallic pipes/cables.
WHAT DELIVERABLES WILL BE PROVIDED AS PART OF THE SERVICE?
Typical deliverables for concrete x-rays/scans include:
Typical deliverables for utility locating include:
- marking findings (object locations) directly on the structure using chalk, crayon, or tape;
- verbal communication of the findings while onsite; and
- a report that documents each location. The report will show the scan location in relation to the overall structure, a photograph of the markings on the structure, marked-up photographs detailing the embedded objects, an electronic illustration of the GPR data/x-ray collected, and a brief discussion of the purpose of the scan and the objects identified.
Typical deliverables for utility locating include:
- marking findings on the surface using paint or flags; and
- verbal communication of the findings while onsite.
- photographs and video recording of findings;
- verbal communication of the findings while onsite; and
- a report that documents findings, including trouble spots.
WILL YOU WORK AT NIGHT OR ON THE WEEKEND?
Yes, we pride ourselves on customer service and our ability to meet your scheduling needs. We are willing to work nights, weekends, or any other time to help you accomplish your project goals.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Pricing varies based on several factors, including, but not limited to:
- Project location;
- Concrete imaging objective;
- Type of concrete structure we are scanning – hollow core, post tension, slab-on-grade, etc.;
- Amount/quantity of wire mesh, rebar, and/or post-tension reinforcement suspected to be found in the scan area(s);
- Number of locations that need to be scanned and the distance between them; and
- Whether a lift or scaffolding is readily available (if scanning involves a concrete wall or ceiling).
Portfolio
Testimonials
The Team
Terrance Gilliam
President
Terry has worked in the construction industry for over 30 years. He serves as the President of Concrete Imaging, Inc. and Concrete Technology Services Mid-Atlantic, Inc. and is a Principal for Pavement Contracting Services.
Mel Fravel
Director of Operations/Radiation Safety Officer
Concrete Imaging, Inc., was placed under the direction of Mel Fravel in 2006. Mel has nearly 30 years' experience with imaging concrete structures in the DC/Baltimore region.
WHAT'S IN YOUR CONCRETE?
Don't take a chance.
We'll help you protect your people, projects, and profits. Contact us for a free consultation regarding our sub-surface scanning solutions.
Contact Us
- 10005 Good Luck Road, Glenn Dale, MD 20769
- Remittance Address: P.O. Box 495, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
