The Danger of Concrete Voids
When laying concrete, the aim is to create a smooth surface without cavities or air bubbles. While voids in a concrete slab are a rare occurrence, if undetected, a concrete void can compromise the structural integrity of the slabs and may lead to the concrete becoming unstable. If this occurs, it can be a major danger. Below, we discuss what causes a concrete void, why they’re dangerous and how to identify them.
What Are Concrete Voids?
A concrete void is a dangerous gap, hole or air bubble located in a concrete slab that jeopardises the structural integrity of the building, road, pathway or flooring. Voiding can occur when the concrete has not been vibrated properly during the pour of wall sand slabs. Ground Penetrating Radar can detect these. If not detected these can cause problems later due to the structural integrity of the slab may be compromised or when fixing other structural elements to the walls and slab in the future not achieve adequate bond to the concrete.
What Are The Dangers Associated With Them?
Once a void has formed beneath the surface, the concrete slab can no longer support weight - whether that be a property, vehicles or pedestrians. This means the weakened ground could collapse, causing significant damage to buildings or harm to anyone moving across the surface.
How To Identify Them
A professional concreter understands how to recognise a concrete void. The team at GPR Concrete are equipped with the necessary technology to conduct a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) scan, which enables us to discover dangerous holes beneath the surface. Once we detect a void, we can assess the strength of your concrete slabs and advise on the safety of the structure you’re working on.
Our skilled team can assist with concrete void detection on your worksite or property across Greater Sydney. Get in touch with our team today at 0414 544 479 to ensure the safety of your concrete slabs.
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