Mapping the Underworld: A Step-Change in the Approach to Utility Location and Designation

Abstract

Trenchless technologies (TT), unlike open cut trenching, offer the potential to install, maintain and refurbish buried utilities without the need to close long stretches of carriageway. Recent studies indicate that carbon emissions associated with trenchless installations are far smaller, and trenchless installations are more sustainable, than trenching. Yet utility companies, and their contractors, routinely shun trenchless technologies due to the perceived risk of damaging previously undetected third party assets. Mapping the Underworld (MTU) seeks to create a multi-sensor tool, and a new philosophical approach to underground mapping, to mitigate such risks and facilitate the routine adoption of TT. The novel approach is now being developed through the proof of concept stage towards field trials and the results of these proving trials form the basis of this paper. Moreover such street works, like all construction, repair, renewal and maintenance projects, must be reviewed in terms of a sustainability assessment framework to explore their real costs and benefits to the society on behalf of which, as ultimate 'users' of the facilities, the works are being carried out. This paper seeks to integrate the findings of a highly multi-disciplinary technology-based project with a wider research programme on the context of effective and efficient working in the streets. The lessons drawn from this programme of research extend to all aspects of pipeline engineering. ICPTT 2011

Review of Trenchless Technologies’ Successes and their Dependence on Precise Geotechnical Investigation

“…One of the main advantages of any GPR system, is the ability to locate and map non-metallic, non-conducting materials such as plastic pipes, and concrete or clay ware sewers [43]. Utilities are considered essential services without which society cannot live: supply of potable water and disposal of waste is essential for health; while provision of gas, electricity, fibre optic cables and street lighting are considered fundamental services [47]. Denial of potable water, power, gas and telecommunications, and loss of efficient removal of human effluent, would rapidly result in the breakdown in modern living.…”

A Comprehensive Review of Acoustic Methods for Locating Underground Pipelines

“…The acoustic transmission method, as a trenchless technique, has been applied in underground utility detection and proven as a useful and effective approach for locating both metallic and non-metallic buried utilities [9][10][11]. Recently vibro-acoustic methods [12] have been developed under the frame of 'Mapping the Underworld' [13,14], which has shown very promising in locating buried pipelines, especially for plastic pipes. Compared with electromagnetic-based techniques, such as metal locators and GPR, acoustic methods possess the advantage of efficiency for a wide range of soil types and non-metallic object detection.…”

Estimation of the bulk and shear moduli of soil surrounding a plastic water pipe using measurements of the predominantly fluid wave in the pipe

“…In recent years, the increasing scarcity of fresh water due to wastage and leakage has been of great concern [1,2,3]. Detection and location of leaks in buried pipelines are an important part of tackling this problem [4].…”