The Top 3 Reasons You Need a CCTV Pipeline Inspection

Using robotic cameras, CCTV Pipeline Inspections provide a look within the pipelines with minimal disruption to the surrounding property. It is now faster and easier than ever to gain insight on the integrity of a pipeline structure, reducing costs and downtime significantly. Here are three reasons you may need a CCTV Pipeline Inspection:

1. Prevent Further Damages

Being able to detect an issue within a pipeline is critical to preventing further damage. The earlier you detect the issue, the less costly it will be to repair.  A CCTV Pipeline Inspection can help provide insight into the issue and determine what the next steps need to be for repairs. It also helps reduce the risk of a costly fault within the pipeline. 

Invest in the longevity of your property

CCTV Pipeline Inspections help prevent further damages and provide the insight needed to repair the pipeline correctly. This technology helps minimize the challenges of determining the integrity of a structure and if there are any faults, determining the location of the fault and its scale. 

3. Reduce Downtime

When a drainage issue arises with a pipeline — whether it be a blockage or pipe collapse — it may require significant downtime of the pipeline to locate the source of the issue and get it repaired correctly. 

A CCTV Pipeline Inspection makes it easier to find the source of the issue, determines the required knowledge for a seamless repair, and can detect other pipeline faults earlier to help prevent further damage — a must-have to maintain the life of a pipeline. 

3 Ways Concrete Surveying Will Save You Money

Reducing the costs of operating and managing your concrete structure has never been easier. While most invest in the routine maintenance of their concrete structure or wait until there are outside signs of decay to repair, a comprehensive concrete survey provides insight that will allow you to maximise the money you spend on maintenance and repairs to increase the longevity of your structure.

Here’s how concrete surveying will save you money

Gain Insight Into Upcoming Repairs

A concrete survey will reveal what is happening within your concrete structure. If there is decay or damage, you will know where it is located and get an idea of how quickly the fault needs to be repaired, which allows you to plan ahead and budget for repairs as needed.

Repair Rather Than Replace

Often internal damage in a concrete structure will go unnoticed until it is visible from the outside, which is sometimes too late. At this point the concrete structure could require in-depth, costly repairs, or worse, may need to be replaced entirely.

Know Before You Build

If you are going to complete a project, concrete surveying will help guide the process and ensure there are no delays or disruptions. When drilling, a concrete survey is vital to avoid hitting any objects within the concrete. 

Do not risk the cost or damages that can arise without a comprehensive concrete survey. Save money and invest in the longevity of your concrete structure by gaining insight into what is inside and make more informed decisions.

Contact us below if you would like to know more about our services.

Three Steps To Optimize Your Concrete Structures

All concrete structures can benefit from optimization to extend their life, reduce costs on repairs, and improve its safety. Optimizing your concrete structure is not just a one-time process, it is something that you should invest in at different stages of the structure’s life — maintenance costs are always cheaper than the cost of unexpected emergencies or damages. Take these three steps to invest in the future of your concrete structure:

Survey For Current Condition

This is where all structures should begin optimization. Concrete Surveying provides insight that is otherwise undiscoverable. The survey results will reveal vital data that you can use to make future decisions and ensure the longevity of your structure. A comprehensive concrete survey will reveal any objects within the concrete — essential information before beginning any projects — and expose areas that are weakening or prone to future damages.

Repair And Rehabilitate

Once the concrete structure has been surveyed, the repair and rehabilitation process can begin. It is always more cost effective and safe to make repairs immediately, rather than waiting for the consequences to act. Whether there are cracks, settlement, or any other potential problems discovered, UDS Civils is not only trained in surveying, but also equipped to repair and rehabilitate any concrete structures to extend its life and improve soundness.  

Strengthen And Monitor

Finally, strengthening your concrete structure is one of the best ways to secure it for years to come. This will improve its resistance and secure the structure in its optimal form. It is also important to continue monitoring the concrete structure with regular analysis and testing. Anytime a fault is identified early on and cared for, there are significant savings and benefits in maintaining the longevity of any concrete structure.

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The 3 Most Overlooked Ways To Prevent Unexpected Costs

While it may seem that we are in the business of civil engineering… The truth is, we are in the business of saving property owners and managers money. UDS Civils works with businesses across every industry to analyze various facets of their current property and structures to identify weaknesses and faults.  While land surveying and leak detection are commonly utilized, there are a few ways that many are overlooking that could prevent or reduce costs in the future.

An Overhead View Of Hard To Reach Places

Not all properties are accessible by foot. Drone Surveying is the most accurate and precise way to gather vital information about a property — particularly properties with difficult to access areas or large land masses that need to be surveyed quickly. Drone Surveying gives property managers insight that ensure projects are completed the right way the first time. This keeps costs low and projects on schedule.

 An In-Depth Look Within The Walls

It is common to wait to see physical signs of decay in concrete structures before taking action to repair them; however, this is a dangerous and costly approach. In fact, many times there will be little to no signs of decay prior to a structure’s collapse. A Concrete Survey is the only way to gain data about the soundness of a concrete structure and can prevent costly repairs down the road. 

A Test Of Structure In High-Traffic Areas

Railways are designed to withstand lots of pressure, weight, and movement. Despite their sound design, even the best rail-tracks can have service interruptions or worse, long-term down time as a result of poor maintenance. A GPR Ballast Evaluation Survey is the best way to analyze the conditions of a rail-track and determine when and where repairs are needed.

Don’t delay, contact us to find out more

5 Reasons Why You Should Not Wait to Complete a GPR Ballast Evaluation Survey

With the many demands of your current role it can be easy to overlook assessments and services that demand your current attention. Some Railway Infrastructure owners overlook the value of a GPR Ballast Evaluation Survey but putting this important service off can be costly in the long run. Learn the 5 reasons why you should not wait to complete a GPR Ballast Evaluation Survey:

1. Plan Ahead

A GPR Ballast Evaluation Survey is not optional, it is something every Railway Infrastructure owner must undergo. By completing the survey sooner rather than later, decision-makers are given the time to assess the situation and make gradual changes. The alternative to this is assessing the situation too late and requiring immediate, costly, and inconvenient action.

2. Improve Safety

This is the number one risk of waiting to complete a GPR Ballast Evaluation Survey. You do not want to risk the safety of one of your workers or bystanders by lacking insight of the condition of the railway. 

3. Reduce Long-Term Costs

When faults or track settlements go undetected, the cost of repairs can increase significantly. Additionally, needing to slow or terminate services for the duration of the repairs can be costly and prevent many unnecessary delays. A comprehensive analysis of the current condition of the railway will prevent high costs of repairs and service interruptions.

4. Improve Efficiency

The settlements that are detected with GPR surveying can impact performance and reduce the efficiency of services. Early detection and preventative measures are vital to maintaining the continued efficiency of service.

4. Optimise Performance

Ensure the performance of the railway is optimised to maximise the load capacity and avoid compromising the integrity of performance. A comprehensive GPR Ballast Evaluation Survey can detect faults in the structure and determine current load capabilities, giving decision-makers the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions.

Beyond the Surface: 4 Things You May Find In Your Concrete Structures with Concrete Scanning

On the surface, concrete can be deceptive. It may look sturdy, with no cracks or signs of wear on the outside, but the inside may be a different case. Before you drill or cut into a slab of concrete, it is important to know what is inside to ensure safety and effectiveness.

1. Cables and Pipes

Two of the most common things you will encounter inside a concrete structure are cables and pipes. There may be no sign of these outside and without a prior concrete survey, there may be no record of their existence. Drilling into a concrete structure with unknown cables or pipes within can be extremely dangerous and cause further damages. For this reason, Concrete Scanning is often an essential step when completing any projects involving any concrete structures.

2. Moisture

Another internal damage could be moisture. Water seepage and moisture within a concrete structure are common issues that can make the completion of new projects difficult. By using top of the line concrete surveying equipment to assess the composition of your concrete structure, UDS Civils is able to aid in the seamless completion of your next project.

3. Utilities

Another internal damage could be moisture. Water seepage and moisture within a concrete structure are common issues that can make the completion of new projects difficult. By using top of the line concrete surveying equipment to assess the composition of your concrete structure, UDS Civils is able to aid in the seamless completion of your next project.

4. Post Tensioned Tendons and Cables

Due to the highly stressed nature of tendons, it is important that they are not damaged, either by mechanical means or corrosion. For safety reasons, it is of paramount importance that tendons are accurately located prior to any cutting, coring or drilling works being undertaken in the immediate vicinity.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) can find the location and depth of tendons or tendon ducts in concrete. The survey technique is non- destructive and non invasive. GPR can also determine the tendon depth, enabling the hyperbolic geometry of the duct along the length of the element to be plotted.

Detection of tendon ducts in post-tensioned concrete can be very difficult. This is mainly due to:

• The depth of the tendon
• Often located behind at least one layer of reinforcement
• Close proximity of reinforcing steel

This means that cover meters and the Ferroscan are usually not suitable for locating tendon ducts. GPR however offers deeper penetration and better resolution. By selective scanning and processing of GPR data to produce depth slices and cross-sectioned views, it is often possible to identify, locate and map tendon ducts.

Though there may be no outside indicators on your concrete structure, cables and pipes, moisture, utilities, and post tensioned tendons and cables can be hidden within. Take the time to complete a comprehensive Concrete Scan to gain valuable insight prior to beginning a project or drilling a concrete area.

Traditional Land Surveying vs. Drone Surveying: The Key Differences

Finding the right service for your needs can be a challenge. Today, we are covering the key differences between traditional land surveying and drone surveying. Landowners, project managers, and construction teams can all benefit from understanding the primary distinctions of each and using the data in future decisions about a property.

The Correlation Between Data and Accuracy

One of the most important differences between traditional land surveying and drone surveying is the number of data points. Drone surveying has the added benefit of collecting more data about a property, which can help ensure the final results are more accurate; however, UDS Civils employs a variety of tools and technologies which make both traditional land surveying and drone surveying viable options for a comprehensive analysis of underground objects.

Versatility

When choosing between traditional land surveying and drone surveying, a key consideration is the area that will be surveyed. For land that is difficult to reach or inaccessible, drone surveying provides more flexibility and comprehensive coverage. For open, easily accessible land, traditional land surveying is often the ideal choice.

Traceable Data

With detailed and precise imaging, drone surveying makes a great option for those who want to continue to reference the images for years to come. To calculate the final results, UDS Civils uses the images to verify that all of the data is complete and accurate. With land surveying, UDS Civils also verifies the data using live, on-site communications to our main office to ensure the information is finalized.

Costs

Due to the efficiency of drone surveying, the services can be surprisingly cost-effective. The differences in equipment, experience, and services vary from company to company, so be sure to verify the costs with the individual team. With the state-of-the-art drone surveying equipment used by UDS Civils, underground surveying is becoming increasingly efficient, passing on the time and cost benefits directly to our clients.

Safety

Hazardous objects, bulky equipment, and inaccessible locations can make land surveying services more invasive and dangerous. Though our team is thoroughly knowledgeable and trained to maneuver through challenging situations, it is always optimal to use equipment that reduces the disruption to a property and enhances the safety of individuals on the property and nearby. Since drone surveying utilizes one, simple device with increased maneuverability, the safety of the surveying services are maximized. 

Speed of Delivering Results

The speed of results delivery when comparing land surveying to drone surveying varies based on the team and equipment utilized. There are pros and cons of each tool and it is important to discuss the turnaround time on a project with the individual land surveying company you are working with. At UDS Civils, the turnaround time on a land surveying project is dependent on the size of the project, as well as the difficulty.

To decide whether land surveying or drone surveying is right for your project, contact UDS Civils. Our team will help you identify the right tools for the job.

Your Questions Answered: Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

When it comes to your property, it is vital to stay informed and proactive. Doing so can save time and money, while preserving the continuity of your operations. Today, we are answering the most common questions we hear about Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).

What is GPR?

GPR stands for Ground Penetrating Radar. This is a technology that is utilized to get real-time images below ground, revealing pipelines, wires, fire lines, water lines, and utilities that cannot be discoverable with traditional methods.

How Does GPR Work?

GPR is a geophysical method that uses radar pulses to penetrate and map the subsurface of the earth. It uses high-frequency radio waves and transmits a signal into the ground. When the waves hits a buried object the receiving antenna records variations in the reflected return signal. GPR can be used in a variety of media, including rock, soil, ice, pavements and structures. It can detect objects, changes in material, and voids and cracks.

Who Should Use GPR?

All property owners can benefit from the use of GPR technology to detect utilities and any other structures that may impede upon existing buildings or plans for future construction. GPR can provide insight, unlike any other utility detection technology, that reveals vital information to save you time and money in the long run.

If you are planning an upcoming construction project, GPR can be especially useful. You will need to know the information about your property that GPR technology can reveal in order to plan and prepare.

The cost of not detecting utilities and pipes beneath the surface of your property can be catastrophic. Constructing a building where the ground is not stable, causing a pipe to burst, or creating costly electrical or communications problems are all possible outcomes when proper utility detection is not completed.

What Are the Benefits of GPR?

Without the need to dig or destruct your property, GPR is one of the safest and least destructive methods for locating utility lines below the surface. This is especially important for those who have existing above ground structures and want to avoid disrupting business continuity or incurring greater costs.

Not only is GPR technology one of the least invasive technologies of its kind, it is also one of the most accurate. Our UDS Civils team is trained and equipped with the knowledge and experience necessary to maximize the capabilities of GPR technology and accurately assess the types and locations of below ground structures and utilities.

Finally, utilizing GPR is a vital preventative measure to reduce future costs. An investment now will allow you to fully understand the complexities of your property and your facilities for years to come. You will prevent accidental damages and reduce the cost of planning future construction projects.

If you are interested in learning more about GPR and how your property could benefit, contact UDS Civils. We would be happy to answer any questions and help you identify the right services for your needs.

Please note we will be closed on 14 December 2018 and will reopen on 14 January 2019.

Thank you to all of our wonderful clients for a great year — we look forward to what 2019 will bring.