Book Description

There is a general consensus among engineers and facility managers of military installations that the utility records and as-built drawings are of poor quality and/or inaccurate. The goal of verifying the location of all underground utilities before commencement of a construction project is usually unachievable. During the early stages of a construction project, an unknown subsurface utility is often discovered which results in a contract modification and an increased price of the project. Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) is an engineering discipline used to designate and verify the location of underground utilities and other obstructions. SUE is not a new technology although it has made significant advances in recent years, including the development and adoption of ASCE Standard Guideline 38-02. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), metal detectors and other designating devices are used in conjunction with vacuum excavators to verify the horizontal and vertical position of the utility.