Plain English on hard subjects.
Articles from the Corvus team on what we do and how. Written by surveyors and engineers, edited for the people who'll have to commission, manage, or interpret the work.
What is GPR concrete scanning and when do you need it
GPR concrete scanning explained in plain English: what it is, what it shows, and when you need it on a UK construction site.
Read articleHow does ground penetrating radar work
A plain-English explanation of how ground penetrating radar works, what it can detect, and why it is the tool of choice for non-destructive construction surveys.
Read articleGPR vs ferro scanning — which do you need
A side-by-side guide to GPR and ferro scanning. What each one does well, what each one does badly, and how to choose for your job.
Read articleWhat is ferro scanning in construction
Ferro scanning explained: what it does, how it works, and when it is the right tool for reinforcement mapping and cover-depth measurement on UK construction work.
Read articleHow to read a GPR scan report
What to look for in a GPR scan report, what each section means, and the questions to ask the surveyor before you sign off the work.
Read articleWhat is a pull-out test and when is it required
Pull-out testing for in-situ concrete strength explained: what it does, how it works, and when it is the right test for your project.
Read articleUnderstanding concrete cover depth
Why cover depth matters, how it is specified, how it is measured non-destructively, and what to do when it is wrong.
Read articleWhat is LiDAR scanning in construction
LiDAR scanning explained: what it is, what it captures, and why it has become the standard for as-built surveying in UK construction.
Read articleDrone surveys vs traditional surveys — a comparison
Where drone surveys win, where traditional methods still beat them, and how to combine both for the best result on UK construction projects.
Read articleWhat is photogrammetry and how is it used on site
Photogrammetry explained: how dozens of overlapping photos turn into 3D models, orthomosaics and survey-grade measurements on UK construction sites.
Read articleHow to prepare a site for GPR scanning
Practical preparation for a GPR scan: surface condition, access, programme integration, and the questions you'll be asked before the surveyor arrives.
Read articleGPR scanning before drilling — why it matters
Why pre-drill GPR scanning is the cheapest insurance on a UK construction site, and what happens when it is skipped.
Read articlePost-tension cables — the hidden danger in concrete floors
Post-tension cables are widespread in modern UK floors and the most dangerous thing in any reinforced slab. How they work, how to find them, and why scanning before drilling is mandatory.
Read articleWhat are rebar chairs and why does cover depth matter
Rebar chairs are the small unsung component that protects the durability of every reinforced concrete element. Here's how they work, what goes wrong, and how cover-depth surveys catch the problem.
Read articleHow NDT saves money on construction projects
The economics of non-destructive testing on construction. Where NDT pays for itself, where it doesn't, and how to scope a programme that delivers value.
Read articleWhat is non-destructive testing in construction
An overview of non-destructive testing in UK construction: methods, when they are used, and how they fit into a wider engineering programme.
Read articleThe difference between GPR and ground investigation
GPR and ground investigation answer different questions about the subsurface. Here is how they differ, where they overlap, and how the two methods work together.
Read articleLiDAR vs photogrammetry — which survey method is right for you
LiDAR and photogrammetry produce 3D data in very different ways. Here is when each method wins, and how to specify the right one for your project.
Read articleWhat is a point cloud survey
A practical guide to point cloud surveys for construction: what they are, what they capture, and how to use the data downstream.
Read articleHow drone surveys are transforming construction
Drone surveys have changed what is possible at the scale of a single working day. Here is what they have changed in UK construction, and what they have not.
Read articleWhat is BIM and how does LiDAR support it
Building Information Modelling explained, with a practical look at how LiDAR point clouds support BIM workflows on UK construction projects.
Read articleAs-built surveys — what they are and when you need one
An as-built survey is a measured record of how a structure was actually built — not how it was supposed to be. Here is what they capture and when they are essential.
Read articleFaçade surveys — methods and technology explained
Façade surveys for restoration, refurbishment, and listed-building work — methods, accuracy, and what to ask for in the deliverable.
Read articleWhat is utility mapping and why is it important
Utility mapping locates the buried services that an excavation or piling job has to avoid. Here is how it is done, what the deliverable looks like, and why it is non-negotiable.
Read articlePAS 128 explained — the standard for utility surveys
PAS 128 is the UK specification for utility detection and mapping. Here is what it is, what each quality level means, and how to specify a survey to it.
Read articleHow GPR is used on highways and roads
Multi-channel GPR has become the standard tool for pavement and bridge-deck investigation on UK highways. Here is what it captures, how it is run, and what to expect from the deliverable.
Read articleArchaeological surveys using GPR — a guide
GPR is one of the most useful non-intrusive tools in archaeology. Here is how it is used to find buried features before any ground disturbance.
Read articleHow to commission a concrete scanning survey
A practical guide to commissioning a concrete scanning survey: brief, scope, deliverables, and the questions to ask before signing the quote.
Read articleWhat certifications should a GPR scanning company have
The certifications, accreditations, and competencies that distinguish a defensible GPR scanning company in the UK.
Read articleEuroGPR certification explained
EuroGPR is the European certification scheme for GPR practitioners. Here is what it covers, why it matters, and how to verify it.
Read articleUKAS accreditation in NDT — what it means
UKAS accreditation is the UK's mark of laboratory and inspection-body competence. Here is what it means in NDT and concrete testing, and why it matters.
Read articleHow to interpret a ferro scan report
What a ferro scan report contains, what each section means, and what to look for when the data has to inform an engineering decision.
Read articleConcrete core sampling — what it involves
Concrete core sampling extracts a cylinder of in-situ concrete for laboratory analysis. Here is how it is done, what it tells you, and how to commission it well.
Read articleRebound hammer testing — a guide
Rebound hammer testing is fast, cheap, and useful — within its limits. Here is how it works, what it tells you, and how to use the data well.
Read articleCompressive strength testing of concrete
Compressive strength is the headline number for any concrete pour. Here is how it is measured, where the numbers come from, and what to ask for in the deliverable.
Read articleStructural assessment using NDT — a complete guide
How non-destructive testing supports structural assessment of existing buildings: methods, scoping, deliverables, and the engineer-surveyor relationship.
Read articleHow to plan a safe drilling programme
Drilling into reinforced concrete is routine work that becomes dangerous when shortcuts are taken. Here is how to plan a drilling programme that is safe, defensible, and on programme.
Read articleThe role of applied sciences in modern construction
Applied sciences — measurement, sensing, and analysis — have moved from speciality to standard practice in UK construction. Here is what has changed, and why.
Read articleTechnology trends in construction surveying
What's new and what's actually useful in UK construction surveying right now: array GPR, mobile LiDAR, drone integration, ML-assisted interpretation, and continuous monitoring.
Read articleHow to choose a concrete scanning company in the UK
Practical advice on choosing a UK concrete scanning company: qualifications, equipment, deliverables, and the questions that separate good from cheap.
Read articleGPR scanning costs in the UK — what to expect
An honest guide to UK GPR scanning costs. Day rates, project rates, what affects the price, and how to specify scope to control budget.
Read articleHow long does a GPR survey take
An honest answer on how long a GPR survey takes — from a 30-minute pre-drill scan to a multi-day campaign on a complex site.
Read articleWhat deliverables should you expect from a scanning survey
A practical checklist of the deliverables a defensible concrete or LiDAR scanning survey should produce — and the warning signs when they're missing.
Read articleHealth and safety in concrete scanning
Concrete scanning is low-risk work that becomes higher-risk when shortcuts are taken. Here is the H&S framework for safe scanning on UK construction sites.
Read articleHow Corvus approaches data, reporting and deliverables
What 'engineering-grade' actually means in a Corvus deliverable: format, depth of detail, sign-off, and the underlying discipline.
Read articleWorking with structural engineers — a guide for contractors
Practical advice on commissioning surveying and NDT work in coordination with a structural engineer — what they need, when, and how to brief everyone effectively.
Read articleHow to integrate scan data into your construction programme
Where surveying and scanning belong in a UK construction programme — and how to integrate the data so it informs decisions rather than sitting in a folder.
Read articleThe future of site investigation technology
An honest look at where site investigation technology is heading: array geophysics, mobile capture, ML-assisted interpretation, and continuous monitoring.
Read articleWhy applied sciences matter in the built environment
The case for applied sciences as a standard discipline on construction projects — measurement, accountability, and the cost of guessing.
Read articleCorvus — who we are and what we stand for
A direct introduction to Corvus: the people, the values, and how we approach surveying and applied sciences in UK construction.
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