OasisLMS

This is a recorded webinar from July 30, 2024.

This webinar is jointly sponsored by NEx: An ACI Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials and the American Concrete Institute (ACI).

The effectiveness of GPR in detecting non-metallic reinforcement has been of special interest to researchers and engineers around the world. The ability to detect embedded non-metallic bars such as GFRP is important from several angles. In post-construction work, GPR scanning is often required to detect reinforcement in critical zones of beams, slabs, and walls. This is to prevent damaging the structural integrity of the built environment. Scanning is also crucial in the assessment of existing buildings. When adequate as-built drawings are not available, or when repair needs to be done on sections of an existing bridge deck, the ability to detect non-metallic bars using GPR plays an important role. Several factors affect the ability of GPR in accurately detecting non-metallic bars such as GFRP bars. The shape of the rebar (with ribs, or without ribs), the size and embedment depth of bars are important considerations. The GPR antenna and its central frequency can influence the accuracy of the scan. In this presentation, we will perform a comparative study on two commercially available GPR devices for scanning a concrete slab that is reinforced using ribbed GFRP bars.

1. Describe the principles of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for detecting non-metallic reinforcement in concrete.
2. Identify factors affecting GPR accuracy, including bar shape, size, and embedment depth.
3. Compare the effectiveness of different GPR devices and antennas for scanning concrete with ribbed GFRP bars.
4. Explain GPR’s role in post-construction work and building assessments, especially without as-built drawings or for repair needs.

View the recorded webinar. Complete 10-question quiz with a score of 80% or higher to receive a certificate for 0.1 CEU (1.0 PDH).
Continuing Education Credit: 0.1 CEU (1.0 PDH)
Approved AIA and ICC
Access Period: 30 days