Case Studies > Arizona: Utility Detection and Mapping
UIT performed geophysical surveys at two sites in Arizona in order to locate and map underground utilities, utility corridors and any other features buried below the two locations. A special aspect of the project was to search for possible buried storage tanks within the survey boundaries.
The survey was conducted using the UIT subsurface imaging system that incorporates the multi-channel GPR and the multi-sensor TDEM units. The project involved several tasks, namely: (a) designing and implementing a field survey in each area; (b) data handling and processing to generate 3-D subsurface images and 2-D plan view; (c) interpreting and producing images to identify pertinent subsurface features, and (d) mapping of the interpreted features and documenting the findings.
The multi-channel GPR system provided detailed cross-sections of the subsurface (illustrated in the GPR profile). Such profiles were in turn used to determine target locations and depths. Data from the multi-sensor TDEM system (illustrated in the EM plan view) was used to produce detailed maps of buried utilities and targets referenced to the local coordinate system. Correlating the results from the GPR and TDEM applications, the location of several linear features and buried utilities were determined as well as the locations of a buried storage tank. These features were compared with a schematic of the buried utilities at the project site. Details on the survey methods, project results and important findings were included in the submitted comprehensive technical report.