Subsurface Utility Engineering: Utility Detection Methods And Applications

The nation’s infrastructure continues to grow as a result of population growth and the proliferation of new<br>technologies. New technologies include the replacement of copper communication cables with fiber optics. In<br>addition, the deterioration and replacement of existing structures have expanded activity in the infrastructure industry.<br>The “footprint” of new construction often conflicts with existing infrastructure. When this existiug infrastructure is<br>hidden from view (e.g., buried), it is often discovered in the construction phase of a project. During this phase, the<br>costs of con&t resolution and the potential for catastrophic damages are the highest.<br>Existing underground utilities and then related structures constitute a significant portion of this infrastructure. They<br>create inefficiencies and risks on projects. The majority of these inefIicieucies and risks result from inaccurate,<br>incomplete, and/or out-of-date information on the existence and location of existing subsurface utilities, In the past,<br>utilities were rarely a high priority. However, the costs of these risks are becoming high enough that priorities are<br>changing.<br>Many surface geophysical methods exist that are useful in identifying and characterizing underground utilities.<br>Utilities as near surface structures often interfere with the interpretation of data for deeper structures, soils,<br>contaminants, and so forth. Therefore. in cases such as brown field sites, military bases, etc., it becomes necessary to<br>first apply appropriate surface methods to identify and characterize the existing utilities so that then influence on<br>other data can be ascertained. Subsequent mapping and data management accrues other benefits. This practice is<br>gaining momentum in a field called subsurface utility engineering.<br>Subsurface Utility Engineering has been a program focus for federal agencies such as the IJSDOT. DOE, NSF,<br>NTSB and others. Additionally, professional organizations such as AXE and SAME are educating their members<br>about how the application of surface geophysics can reap benefits in identifying and mapping utilities for engineering<br>and environmental purposes.