Scanning for structural steel
Scanning for structural steel
(OP)
Does anyone know of a device that can locate structural steel behind drywall? For example, conventional steel framed building with gwb walls to the underside of the spandrel beams, therefore can not see diagonal braces. Is there some device that can detect the braces? Or am I going to have to poke holes in every bay of the building to locate the braces. I thought maybe infrared thermography might be able to locate them. Or maybe ground penetrating radar. I don't think a metal detector will work due to metal studs.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?






RE: Scanning for structural steel
Some one also makes a mini-radar device that will "see" metal.. Not sure who makes it - but have heard it is great at finding rebar, studs, etc. Try google.
RE: Scanning for structural steel
Use a borescope or a stud finder as noted. The borescope only requires a small hole (mine requires about 5/8 of an inch. Some have photographic documentation capability which is good for your files.
RE: Scanning for structural steel
Potential problems ... if the vertical studs are too close together, they will interfere with the detection (a 16" stud spacing should work well). Also, any horizontal bracing for the studs will interfere, thus you are looking for the diagonal pattern in adjacent stud spaces. Equipment such as recommended above is relatively expensive but sometimes can be rented in larger cities (check with the manufacturer) or concrete testing labs usually have a few kicking around.