Real world 3D accuracy achievable of Australian standard 5488-2013 classification of subsurface utility information using electromagnetic field detection

Abstract

There are hundreds of kilometres of underground services - pipes and cables that carry vital services such as water, electricity, communications and gas are buried throughout Australia and that number is increasing every year. Damage to these vital services is not only costly it is also disruptive to the surrounding community; there is also the risk of personal injury and or death that could be caused by damaging underground infrastructure.(Dial Before You Dig, 2015. The importance of locating these vital utilities before construction to aid in avoiding them is well known. Currently the most readily used technology used to locate these services is electromagnetic field detection. This technology is used to pinpoint the service location to an X, Y and Z position. Can this technology meet the new Australia Standard - Classification of Subsurface Utility Information for positional accuracy in a real world test? To determine this, a test site was chosen that contains an underground line. After using a range of electromagnetic field detection equipment to locate the line, the true position will be revealed using non-destructive digging methods. The derived position of the line from different electromagnetic field detection equipment will be compared against the true position surveyed points. An error analysis will be provided showing a comparison of the methods and thus determine if they meet the quality specified in the Australian Standard