Beneath the Surface: What Hidden Voids and Delaminations Tell Us About Infrastructure Health
You can walk across a bridge, drive through a parking garage or stand on a concrete slab and see nothing wrong – but that doesn’t always mean it’s safe. What’s happening inside or beneath that concrete may tell a different story.
At OmniVueNDT, we specialize in seeing what the eye can’t – identifying internal flaws and subsurface risks that, if left unchecked, can lead to costly repairs or even structural failure. Here’s what those hidden conditions mean, why they matter and how we find them before they find you.
The Silent Threat Inside Concrete
Most concrete deterioration doesn’t start with surface cracks. It begins internally – with small flaws that expand over time:
Delaminations – Layers within the concrete separate, often due to corrosion or poor bonding during construction
Honeycombing – Incomplete compaction during pouring leaves porous, low-density zones
Voids around rebar or embedded elements – Moisture, corrosion or shrinkage can create gaps that weaken the structural core
These defects often stay hidden until visible spalling, cracking or partial collapse occurs – by then, repairs are far more complex and expensive.
Finding the Unseen: Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
We don’t guess what’s going on inside a structure. Our field teams use non-destructive testing methods to detect internal changes in material properties – without cutting, coring or damaging the structure.
Here’s how we detect internal defects:
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) – Measures wave speed through concrete; slower velocities indicate poor-quality or deteriorated zones
Impact-Echo Testing – Uses stress waves that reflect off voids or delaminations to identify internal separations
High-Frequency Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) – Sends electromagnetic signals through concrete to detect density variations, rebar corrosion zones and unbonded areas
Together, these methods provide a clear, data-driven picture of structural health – helping engineers plan repairs with precision.
It’s Not Just What’s in the Concrete – It’s What’s Under It
Structural integrity doesn’t stop at the slab surface. Sometimes, the real problem lies below.
Subsurface voids caused by erosion, washout or poor backfill can undermine foundations, slabs or crane pads. When heavy loads are applied over these weakened zones, failure can occur suddenly and without warning.
That’s where low-frequency GPR comes in.
This is known as a Ground Condition Assessment – scanning beneath the structure to locate:
Air or water-filled voids
Signs of soil erosion or washout
Inadequate backfill or compaction zones
These scans are essential before hoisting, scaffolding or crane operations – and for any load-bearing structures where soil stability matters as much as structural strength.
Why Early Detection Makes All the Difference
Detecting problems early – inside the structure or beneath it – is both smart and cost-effective. With OmniVueNDT’s data-driven assessments, you can:
Prevent structural failures by reinforcing weak zones before they worsen
Plan targeted repairs instead of large-scale reconstruction
Protect teams and the public by reducing collapse risks
Support compliance and funding with verified third-party reports
In short, we help you see the full picture before small issues become major hazards.
Why Clients Trust OmniVueNDT
We’re not just equipment operators – we’re problem solvers. Every scan is analyzed by certified technicians and engineers who understand both the data and the structure behind it.
Here’s what sets us apart:
Integrated use of GPR, UPV and Impact-Echo for cross-verified results
Correlation of findings with design drawings and site conditions
Clear, actionable reports – no vague “areas of concern,” just usable insights
The Bottom Line
Hidden voids and delaminations don’t announce themselves. They develop quietly until it’s too late. With the right tools, experience and expertise, you can stay ahead of deterioration and preserve the integrity of what’s been built.
OmniVueNDT delivers the clarity you need to make confident decisions, reduce risk and extend the life of your assets.