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Confirming the As-Built: Non-Intrusive Slab Investigation at a Waste Transfer Facility
When a slab fails, the first question is why. Drawings alone rarely have the answers. HIGHLIGHTS Complete slab construction resolved across the accessible floor area: two full layers of reinforcement, slab thickness and surface-finish rebar, with no core taken. Zones where the top layer of reinforcement was missing, identified and mapped against the structural grid. Every finding delivered as annotated CAD drawings and thickness heat maps, giving the engineering team defensib
3 min read
BEYOND THE COVER METER: AS-BUILT QUALITY CHECK OF A MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK
"Trace delivered a comprehensive understanding of the as-built structure quickly and without disruption to the project. Their methodology provided far greater coverage than originally specified, enabling us to avoid additional intrusive works and maintain programme. The clarity of their reporting and communication made it easy to act on the findings." Operations Manager, Tier 1 Contractor TRACE provides holistic solutions to each client’s project. One size does not fit all. H
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Why Non-Intrusive Structural Investigations Reduce Risk, Cost and Disruption
Structural investigations are carried out to answer a fundamental question: what is happening inside this structure? Corrosion, delamination, section loss, voids and unknown reinforcement layouts within concrete all require evidence beneath the surface. Traditionally, structural investigations have relied heavily on intrusive methods such as drilling, coring and large breakouts. While effective, every opening in concrete carries consequences that extend beyond the immediate t
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POST-TENSION SPECIAL INSPECTION OF A BRIDGE SOFFIT
OBJECTIVES TRACE was instructed to undertake a non-intrusive structural investigation of nominated soffit areas on two bridges to accurately locate ducts and anchorages, and to identify any potential voids or defects. All works were completed during nightshifts under possession. SOLUTIONS TRACE deployed a two-stage non-intrusive workflow combining ground-penetrating radar (GPR) for precise duct location, and ultrasonic pulse echo (UPE) testing to assess internal duct conditio
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Why Technology Alone Will Never Deliver Better Structural Investigations
Structural investigation technology has come a long way. Modern non-destructive testing allows us to look into structures without breaking into them in ways that were simply not possible before. We can now see reinforcement layouts, construction details, defects and indicators of deterioration beneath the surface, quickly and without causing damage. For existing and ageing structures, this has fundamentally changed what information can be gathered and how safely it can be don
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DETECTING DELAMINATION IN A BRIDGE DECK UNDERSIDE
OBJECTIVES TRACE was instructed to undertake a non-intrusive structural investigation of the underside of a bridge to assess the presence and severity of concrete delamination and the risk and extent of reinforcement corrosion within the bridge deck. The investigation was required to support maintenance planning and identify areas where targeted repair or further investigation would be justified. SOLUTIONS TRACE carried out an investigation from the underside of the bridge vi
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“Yes, We’ve Done Non-Intrusive Structural Investigations Before… and the Results Were Mixed”
We hear this quite often. Asset owners and engineers tell us: “In the past we have used multiple NDT techniques to varying success.” “We’ve been given data that just leaves us scratching our heads.” “In the end, we didn’t trust the results and just went intrusive anyway.” If that’s your experience, you’re not alone. The uncomfortable truth is that many non-intrusive structural investigations fail to deliver confidence. Not because the NDT methods used are flawed, but because
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MAPPING AS-BUILT DETAILS OF A BRIDGE APPROACH STRUCTURE
OBJECTIVES TRACE was instructed to undertake a non-intrusive structural investigation of a cantilever span box beam within a bridge approach structure. The investigation was required to resolve discrepancies in existing records by determining the as-built configuration of the box beam, with particular focus on the presence and location, of post-tensioning tendons and anchorages. SOLUTIONS TRACE developed a bespoke NIA investigation strategy combining complementary non-intrusi
2 min read
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