Non-destructive Technology for Underground Utility Mapping: A Case Study: Fid-Bau Portal

Non-destructive Technology for Underground Utility Mapping: A Case Study

Dave, Kulin / Agrawal, Silky

Abstract This article presents a case study of underground utility mapping survey carried out for a proposed Bridge site in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The main focus was on mapping possible underground metallic as well as non- metallic utilities, viz, water line, sewer line, gas pipeline, cables etc. using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). With the growing needs and ever pinching demand for progressive infrastructure, the pre-existing infrastructure needs to be preserved. GPR is one such tool that can be used for non-destructive survey for utility mapping, concrete inspection, road inspection, archaeology, environmental assessment and many more. An area of around 15000 m2 is scanned over the bitumen road surface of stretch 700 m length and 22 m width. A GSSI GPR system SIR-3000 was used equipped with 400 MHz ground coupled antenna to cover the depth of penetration up to 3 m. The data was collected at spacing of 6 m across the road where as 2.5 m along the road to map possible utilities in both the directions. In comparison to traditional methods of excavation and trenching which involve a huge loss in terms of time, money and man power GPR can prove to be cost efficient, less invasive and more reliable. GPR survey is expected to be a more efficient technique for underground survey especially in infrastructure projects which involve huge quantum of money in excavation and filling and where cost cutting is a must.