GSSI Showcases Newest GPR Equipment at ASNT Annual Conference
GSSI, the world’s leading manufacturer of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, will be highlighting its StructureScan Mini XT and StructureScan Mini LT systems, and the StructureScan Palm XT antenna at The American Society for Nondestructive Testing Annual Conference, being held October 28-30, 2018, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. GSSI will be 
exhibiting its products at booth #941.
StructureScan Mini XT – the newest generation of GSSI’s popular all-in-one concrete inspection GPR system is ideal for locating rebar, conduits, post-tension cables, and voids. The Mini XT can help identify structural elements, including pan decking and concrete cover, and can also provide real time determination of concrete slab thickness. StructureScan Mini XT is the perfect blend of price and performance and is backed by a two-year warranty. It features an intuitive touchscreen interface and six-button control options.
Visitors to the booth can also see a demonstration of the newest accessory for the StructureScan Mini XT. The Palm XT Antenna is a miniaturized GPR antenna that is designed to greatly enhance the capabilities of the StructureScan Mini XT. The handheld Palm XT antenna turns a basic Mini XT into an advanced system by giving users unparalleled access in tightly spaced areas and enabling overhead scanning. Designed to withstand challenging construction sites, the Palm XT is an excellent choice for contractors and engineers alike who need to perform nondestructive testing of concrete structures.
In addition to the Mini XT and the Palm XT accessory, GSSI will be displaying the StructureScan Mini LT. This unit is an integrated all-in-one concrete inspection tool that can help identify structural elements like concrete cover and provides real-time concrete slab thickness measurements. The Mini LT is an all-in-one GPR system that is IP 65-rated to withstand a jobsite’s toughest conditions and features an easy-to-use interface. The StructureScan Mini LT is the perfect entry-level concrete inspection system.
About GSSI
Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. is the world leader in the development, manufacture, and sale of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, primarily for the concrete inspection, utility mapping and locating, road and bridge deck evaluation, geophysics, and archaeology markets. Our equipment is used all over the world to explore the subsurface of the earth and to inspect infrastructure systems non-destructively. GSSI created the first commercial GPR system nearly 50 years ago and continues to provide the widest range and highest quality GPR equipment available today.
VZ Environmental is an innovative leader in secondary drip and spill containment for the oil and gas industry. Carol Van Zandt, owner of VZ Environmental, was challenged by a customer to find a simple method to contain liquid spills in the oil and gas industry. Carol partnered with an equipment supplier to design a drive-over foam bermed containment membrane (VMatz™) to capture and dispose of drips and spills on oil and gas sites. They then utilize a Vac-Tron vacuum excavator to clean up the spill from the containment membrane for proper disposal.
Today, VZ Environmental provides equipment nationwide, servicing areas in five states and have plans for further domestic and international expansion to continue to help oil and gas operators minimize their impact on the environment.
Vac-Tron vacuum trailers for vacuum service and cleanup. “The Vac-Tron trailer helps us clean up our VMAtz by removing the fluid from our containments more efficiently and a lot faster. We are not sitting on location waiting on vacuum trucks to arrive. Prior to having Vac-Tron vacuum trailers in our fleet of equipment, we did not offer any type of vacuum service. Our customers had to order a vacuum truck to come help us remove the fluid when we were cleaning our Vmatz. Our Vac-Tron units come with 500-gallon debris tanks and 1,000 cfm which helps us pick up the rocks and sludge that our customers leave in our containments. This is a perfect size because its small and they can park it off to the side, then call upon it as needed,” says Carol.
GREENVILLE, S.C. — September 24, 2018 — McLaughlin Group, Inc. continues to grow its expertise in the underground construction industry with the addition of Neville Missen, an industry veteran who has played in integral role in developing microtunneling equipment and steerable rock systems. In his new role as applications engineer for McLaughlin auger boring equipment, On Target steering systems and steerable rock systems, Missen will work with contractors, dealers and the McLaughlin team to develop innovative equipment solutions that will continue to advance the industry.
PHILADELPHIA, PA ‐ Pipe Lining Supply is pleased to announce the appointment of Augustus “Gus” Bozzano, II to the position of Technical Representative serving the north eastern USA.
GSSI
On August 29, 2018, a 9.26 m (30.4 ft) diameter Robbins Crossover (XRE) TBM crossed the finish line at the Akron Ohio Canal Interceptor Tunnel (OCIT). A press day followed on September 5, where companies and members of the media were invited to view the giant machine. The machine—dubbed “Rosie” in honor of Rosie the Riveter, an icon representing American women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II—overcame tough ground conditions during the bore.
“One of the most challenging aspects of this job was that we launched right into the most difficult part. We had 60 m (200 ft) of soft ground, a very short reach, and then from there we went right into a mixed face for 180 m (600 ft),” said David Chastka, Project Manager for Kenny Construction, a joint venture contractor on the project with Obayashi. “It took everybody we had in the industry, everybody from Robbins, to fight through that first 240 m (800 ft).”
The TBM was designed for the project’s geology, which transitioned from soil to partial face shale to full face shale rock. The Crossover XRE included features of both EPB and Hard Rock Single Shield TBM types, with a versatile cutterhead that could be configured for hard rock or soft ground conditions. While in soft ground and mixed face conditions the machine operated in closed mode, but once it hit solid rock crews switched excavation to open mode. “The machine had the power to get to the other side and made advance rates we never thought we were going to get. It was very successful in hard rock,” said Chastka. Advance rates once in full-face shale rock reached a high of 34 m (111 ft) in one day (two 10-hour shifts). Muck removal was achieved using a Robbins continuous conveyor, and conveyor availability remained high throughout the project.
“I am most proud of the team that I have had the pleasure of being a part of,” said Don Smida, Robbins Field Service Technician. The overall scope of a project of this scale is immense, and the amount of daily cooperation & hard work that has been asked of The Robbins Company, the local unions, city staff, and Kenny-Obayashi is extremely important in reaching our common goals. I think we should all be proud of our teamwork going forward from a successful completion of the tunnel and into a successful disassembly of Rosie.”
The OCIT Project for the City of Akron, Ohio, USA consists of the construction of a conveyance and storage tunnel system to control Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) for several regulators in the downtown Akron area. The EPA-mandated project includes the 1.89 km (1.17 mi) conveyance and storage tunnel, as well as drop shafts, diversion structures, consolidation sewers, and related structures.