Heat pipes and electrical wires revealed in a wooden house
Summary
A high frequency GPR investigation was successfully carried out to map heat pipes and electrical wires in an older single-family home. Information about the pipes and wires was needed to carry out a smaller renovation in the best possible way.
Challenge
As the single-family home is of age, information on the construction and plans of both heating pipes and electrical wires was lacking. To affect the construction as little as possible during the planning stage of the renovation, a non-destructive investigation technique was needed.
PROJECT
Method: Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Solution: MALÅ CX (Concrete Explorer) with a 2.3 GHz antenna. The investigation could have been carried out with the MALÅ ProEx (Professional Explorer) system and a XV Monitor. Trace interval was set to 0.5 cm and profiles were measured with a spacing of 5 cm, in two directions. Measurement: 5 cm trace interval and 100 ns time window. Software for processing and interpretation: MALÅ Vision, a cloud based post-processing software.
Solution
Since detailed and shallow mapping of minor areas was required, the investigation was carried out with the MALÅ CX (Concrete Explorer) system with a 2.3 GHz antenna for the best possible resolution. This investigation could also have been carried out with the MALÅ ProEx system and a XV Monitor for the same results.
For easy and efficient field work a grid mat was used, with 5 cm between both vertical and horizontal lines. The data collection of the area of interest (1×2 meters floor and 1×1 meter wall) were measured in total 30 minutes. Data was processed onboard the CX system for a first check and then transferred to MALÅ Vision for a more thorough post-processing. In a few minutes a 3D volume was created, and a resulting time slice ready.
The measurements were carried out with the CX system and a 2.3 GHz antenna in a cart on the floor and on a wall. Already during measurements, a 3D volume can be created, revealing the heating pipe locations.
Results & Conclusion
The MALÅ CX solution delivered highly detailed data of both the floor and the wall. Both the location and depth of the heating pipes and electrical wires could be determined in detail.
By using a grid mat the field work could be carried out efficiently, in straight lines without any marking on the construction itself. A first check of the data was made onboard the CX controller.
Results displayed on the CX Controller. Note that the XV Monitor have the same onboard processing.
Result from the wall investigation (1×1 meter). The two parallel electrical wires go straight up from the outlet as presumed, at a depth of approx. 6 cm
Result of the floor investigation (1×2 meters). Several heating pipes can be detected at approx. 10 cm depth.
