Embedded steel has been used for strengthening structures for hundreds of years. In historic and heritage buildings, embedded steel is particularly common, most often in the form of a structural frame (I beams and columns) or to secure masonry blocks (steel dowels, pins and cramps).
Unfortunately, with time, corrosion of the embedded steel can cause problems with unsightly staining, cracking, or in extreme cases, failure. For historic buildings, as-built drawings or records are not usually available. The first problem is to identify the type, quantity and location of any embedded steel.
Sandberg undertake embedded metal location and investigation surveys using GPR and other detection techniques. The main advantage of GPR for this type of survey is that it will detect all metals, not just ferrous metals. GPR will also provide information about the depth and often an indication of size and section.
GPR can also help determine construction detail, the thickness of construction and detect other features such as voids.
