FINDING
INFRASTRUCTURE WITH
NON-DESTRUCTIVE
IMAGING
TECHNOLOGIES
Finding Infrastructure with Non-Destructive Imaging Technologies (FINDIT) is a collaborative project between
RSK,
Geomatrix,
BT and the University of Birmingham. Together, we will develop non-destructive geophysical methods to detect factors that are critical to the maintenance and development of subsurface infrastructure including telecoms, water and gas supply pipes. These factors include blockages, space limitations in ground (e.g. congested with multiple services), and damage caused by ground collapse (see images below for types of scenarios). Currently, geophysical sensors are used to detect the location of buried infrastructure, but no reliable method exists to detect these other critical aspects.
FINDIT will address these challenges by using existing technologies in a novel way to detect such features and will develop new data processing approaches. If successful, this will provide the necessary tools to assess the condition of buried pipes, ducts and evaluate the capacity to install new buried infrastructure. This, in turn, will help maintain our buried assets, utilise any spare capacity and lead to more proactive asset management. Overall, this will reduce unplanned utility streetworks and support more cost effective maintenance, and make the roll-out of new buried infrastructure critical to UK economic growth quicker and cheaper.
