Hilti · gpr

Hilti PS 1000 X-Scan

The Hilti PS 1000 X-Scan is a battery-powered three-channel ground-penetrating radar (GPR) system designed for sub-surface scanning of concrete and masonry. The instrument operates at three antenna frequencies in a single pass, producing a real-time 2D B-scan and a post-processed 3D depth slice from the same survey grid. Maximum scan depth in concrete is approximately 400 mm; lateral resolution is sufficient to discriminate adjacent reinforcement bars at typical 150-200 mm spacing. The system is paired with the Hilti PSA 1100 monitor (or modern equivalent) which displays scan results in real time on site, allowing the operator to mark reinforcement, void or conduit positions directly on the structure with a wax pencil. TRSC uses the PS 1000 as the primary GPR instrument for reinforcement location, void detection, post-tensioning tendon mapping, and pre-coring service-strike avoidance on commercial, heritage and marine investigations across QLD, NSW and VIC.

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TRSC Application Commentary

The PS 1000 is the default GPR instrument in TRSC's field investigation kit. We deploy it on every condition assessment that requires reinforcement-cover survey, on every coring or cutting investigation that needs service-strike avoidance, and on every facade assessment where panel anchorage geometry must be verified before specifying a remediation. Three operational notes from extensive field experience matter: first, surface preparation is critical — the antenna footprint requires direct surface contact through a coupling mat, and rough rendered facades or tile-clad surfaces produce signal scatter that obscures sub-surface reflections. We brush the survey area free of debris and use the PS 1000 surface mat consistently. Second, the three-frequency scan is not a substitute for a survey grid — the operator must lay out a 600 mm × 600 mm reference grid and scan systematically in both directions to produce reliable 3D depth slicing; 'random pass' scanning misses reinforcement that lies parallel to the scan direction. Third, the instrument's depth-calibration depends on assumed dielectric constant of the substrate, and saturated concrete or chloride-contaminated concrete can shift the calibration by 5-15%. For TRSC investigations that depend on accurate cover measurement (chloride profiling, post-tensioned slab cutting, facade-anchor geometry verification), we calibrate against a known cover in a representative location — typically a hammer-test hole drilled to expose a single reinforcement bar — before relying on PS 1000 cover readings across the survey area. The PS 1000 has been deployed by TRSC on Q1 Tower spire scans, Marina Mirage pile cap surveys, Prince Consort Hotel boundary wall scans, and the 12 Creek Street facade investigation.

Enabled Investigations
  • Reinforcement location and cover-depth survey
  • Post-tensioning tendon location prior to coring
  • Void and delamination detection in slabs and walls
  • Embedded conduit and service mapping
  • Pre-cutting service-strike avoidance
  • Facade-anchor geometry verification
Frequently Asked Questions

Application questions about Hilti PS 1000 X-Scan

How deep can the Hilti PS 1000 scan into concrete?
Maximum scan depth in concrete is approximately 400 mm using the lower of the three frequency channels. For high-resolution reinforcement mapping in the upper 200 mm (cover survey, post-tensioning tendons in slabs), the higher frequency channels deliver sharper images with sub-5 mm cover-depth accuracy.
Can the PS 1000 distinguish reinforcement from post-tensioning tendons?
Not directly — both are steel and produce similar GPR returns. TRSC distinguishes them by context (geometry, spacing, depth profile) and by cross-referencing the scan with original drawings where available. For post-tensioned slabs where original drawings are absent or unreliable, we run an Imagescan grid that captures the tendon profile shape, which is geometrically distinctive (curved tendon profile vs. straight reinforcement), then verify by drilling a hammer-test hole over a clear-sheet reinforcement-free zone before any structural cutting.
Why does TRSC require PS 1000 user training?
GPR scan interpretation is operator-dependent. The PS 1000 produces a B-scan or 3D depth slice that requires trained interpretation to distinguish reinforcement from voids, conduits, moisture zones, or surface artefacts. Hilti certifies operators against a defined competency standard, and TRSC operators refresh certification every two years. For investigations where GPR findings drive structural decisions (cutting, coring, capacity calculations), a second-operator review is also part of TRSC QA.
How does TRSC calibrate the PS 1000 in chloride-contaminated concrete?
Chloride-contaminated or saturated concrete shifts the substrate dielectric constant, which can offset PS 1000 cover-depth readings by 5-15%. For investigations that depend on accurate cover measurement, TRSC calibrates against a known cover at a representative location — typically a hammer-test hole that exposes a single reinforcement bar at known depth — before applying PS 1000 cover readings across the survey area. The calibration record is included in the investigation report.
Relevant Services
Structural Investigation
Condition Assessment
Remediation Design
Sources & Further Reading