Navigating the hidden complexities of underground infrastructure is critical for the safety, budget, and timeline of any excavation or construction project. Our Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) services utilize non-destructive geophysical methods to accurately locate, identify, and map buried assets.
By integrating advanced electromagnetic and radar technologies, we mitigate the risk of accidental utility strikes, ensuring a seamless transition from design to groundbreaking.
To provide a comprehensive view of the subsurface, we employ a multi-sensor approach:
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR): using high-frequency electromagnetic pulses, our GPR systems detect both metallic and non-metallic utilities (such as PVC, concrete, and fiber optics), and by analyzing the dielectric permittivity and the “time-of-flight” of reflected signals, we create a high-resolution scan of subsurface anomalies and geological layers.
- Radio Detection (RD) & Electromagnetic Locating: for metallic services and power cables, we utilize precision Pipe and Cable Locators. By measuring the magnetic field generated by active currents – or by inducing a signal via a transmitter – we can pinpoint utilities at depths of up to 5-7 meters, depending on soil conductivity and site conditions.
We don’t just find utilities; we also provide the digital intelligence needed to manage them. Our outputs are delivered in formats ready for AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and ArcGIS: Utility Record Maps (2D/3D), BIM-Ready 3D Utility Models, ASCE 38-02 Quality Leveling, SUE Reports, GIS Shapefiles, Cross-Sectional Profiles.
Our Core Underground Services:
- Underground Utility Detection (pipes, cables, ducts): comprehensive scanning for water, gas, power, and telecommunications.
- Utility Network Testing: connectivity and continuity testing to verify network integrity.
- Trial Pitting: physical verification of utility depth and material (Quality Level A).
- Concrete Scanning: utilizing high-frequency GPR to locate rebar, post-tension cables, and conduits within structures.
Why Trust Our Subsurface Surveys?
- Risk Mitigation: drastically reduce the chance of utility damage and costly project delays.
- Multi-Material Detection: proven expertise in locating plastic, clay, fiber-optic, and metallic assets.
- Adjustable Depth Penetration: technology tailored to your project’s specific depth requirements.
- Precision Accuracy: high-fidelity data collection that bridges the gap between old record drawings and reality.
- Cost efficiency: our subsurface mapping reduces excavation risk, delays and dispute exposure.
