Infrastructure Survey and Testing
The Business Infrastructure Survey and Testing Unit is an internal department of STS Corporation that provides services in the area of surveying and testing of infrastructure. The unit covers 6 areas of work, including:
1. Engineering Geophysical Survey for engineering geophysical surveys at the subsurface level.
Data on subsurface characteristics such as rock face and plane, fault lines, and floating rocks are essential for designing foundations and piles for various structures, as well as evaluating the size and depth of material pits. Direct boring to conduct surveys is limited, so geophysical survey methods are used to connect important data from soil boring results, providing more comprehensive data on the project area. Popular geophysical survey methods include 2D resistivity imaging, seismic testing, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and the characteristics of each method and the results of the surveys are shown in the figure.
Data on subsurface characteristics such as rock face and plane, fault lines, and floating rocks are essential for designing foundations and piles for various structures, as well as evaluating the size and depth of material pits. Direct boring to conduct surveys is limited, so geophysical survey methods are used to connect important data from soil boring results, providing more comprehensive data on the project area. Popular geophysical survey methods include 2D resistivity imaging, seismic testing, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and the characteristics of each method and the results of the surveys are shown in the figure.
- 2D Resistivity Imaging
- Seismic Test
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
2. Ground penetrating radar [GPR] for tendon & rebar survey
The position of tendons in post-tensioned concrete slabs is an important piece of information for designing the position of the system during building renovations. Surveying structures using ground penetrating radar can accurately determine the position of tendons. Additionally, it can be used to locate the position of reinforcement steel in reinforced concrete structures with a survey depth of up to 50 centimeters.
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
3. Ground penetrating radar for underground utility survey or substructure survey
GPR survey can be used to accurately locate underground pipes, substructures, and utilities at depths of 3-5 meters. This is useful for designing building foundations in areas with no prior information and planning for foundation construction or installation of piles in areas where underground utilities are expected, to avoid damage to existing systems.
- GPR Survey for Underground Utility Location
4. Ground Penetrating Radar for Void Survey Under Existing Slab
Ground penetrating radar can be used to accurately determine the location and width of voids beneath slabs on the ground, roads, highways, and bridges. This is useful for inspecting areas where voids are expected to exist to avoid damage to the structure caused by settlement.
Using GPR determine the position of voids beneath existing slabs on the ground.
Using GPR determine the position of voids beneath existing slabs on the ground.
- Using GPR determine the position of voids beneath existing slabs on the ground
5. Integrity Testing for Structural Concrete Members
The quality and integrity of structural concrete is one of the important factors that affect the weight-bearing capacity of the structure. It can be inspected using various methods, such as testing with radar waves, ultrasonic testing/Pundit Live, testing with high-frequency sound waves, Impact Echo Test, or testing with thermal imaging (Infrared Thermography or Themoscan). Each of these methods is suitable for inspecting the integrity at different depths.
Testing with radar waves and an Impact Echo test can be used to survey the thickness of underground walls or concrete floors in contact with soil, which cannot be directly measured.
Testing with radar waves and an Impact Echo test can be used to survey the thickness of underground walls or concrete floors in contact with soil, which cannot be directly measured.
- Impact Echo Test
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
- Infrared Thermography (Thermoscan)
- UPT & Pundit Live
6. Infrastructure Strength Assessment
Infrastructure systems such as bridges, highways, runways, and airport parking areas are essential components of a country's basic infrastructure and provide essential services. Checking the condition of these structures is important for assessing damage, evaluating their strength and safety, and estimating their lifespan. This is important for planning maintenance and future use.
6.1 Bridge Load Test
The purpose of conducting a bridge load test, both Static Load Test and Dynamic Load Test, is to study and evaluate the behavior of bridge structures that have been in use for a long time or have suffered physical damage, or to determine changes in the weight of the vehicles that use the bridge. This information is used to assess the stability of the bridge structure, design repairs, modifications, or reinforcement.
6.2 Testing the Strength of Pavements, Highways, and Airports
The infrastructure of highways, runways, driving lanes, and aircraft parking lots within an airport is an essential foundation that is used as a transportation route for people and goods. The lifespan of these structures depends on the strength of the pavement and the amount of traffic, size, and characteristics of the loads used. STS provides testing services for the strength of pavement structures, which include a program of non-destructive survey and testing methods, such as the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) test, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for pavement thickness evaluation, physical condition survey using LCMS survey vehicles, and core drilling and material testing for strength analysis and remaining service life estimation according to relevant international standards (ASTM, ICAO, FAA).
The infrastructure of highways, runways, driving lanes, and aircraft parking lots within an airport is an essential foundation that is used as a transportation route for people and goods. The lifespan of these structures depends on the strength of the pavement and the amount of traffic, size, and characteristics of the loads used. STS provides testing services for the strength of pavement structures, which include a program of non-destructive survey and testing methods, such as the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) test, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for pavement thickness evaluation, physical condition survey using LCMS survey vehicles, and core drilling and material testing for strength analysis and remaining service life estimation according to relevant international standards (ASTM, ICAO, FAA).
- Falling-weight deflectometer (FWD)
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
- LCMS survey vehicles (ROMDAS)
