Big freeze is no barrier to Subscan survey
As Autumn turns to winter, the task of surveying becomes much more difficult. The whole construction industry will be hoping for a warmer winter than the last one, in which frozen ground hindered progress on projects around the country. However, well-planned projects can go ahead despite in the most awkward conditions if the teams are sufficiently well trained and motivated and the equipment is strong enough to cope with the weather.
Last February, Subscan Technology completed a full topographical and utility survey of Stockton-On-Tees town centre on behalf of Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council. The project formed the basis of plans for refurbishment of the S1 district.
Most of the survey work was undertaken at night to minimise disruption to the public and local businesses. The weather conditions encountered by Subscan’s survey teams were some of the most severe ever experienced. Night temperatures dropped to -8 degrees Celsius and the utility survey team had to cope with frozen manhole covers, while completing each stage and clearing the carriageway before the morning rush hour began. The accuracy of the results in such challenging circumstances is testament to the robustness of Subscan’s equipment and the skill of its surveyors.
The survey area covered some 10.5 hectares, and due to the high level of feature detail encountered, culminated in 57 000 points to generate the topographical survey model.
Primary survey control was tied into original control established by the client and formed a closed loop of stations 1971.451m in total length. Vector misclosures of 0.001m (length) and 0.005m (height) gave an equivalent linear accuracy of 1:1 555 391. The topographical survey included all usual categories of detail including kerb channel and top levels.
The utility survey findings comprised of a very complex model indicating the position depth and type of individual utilities. In total over 250 manholes were accessed and surveyed using confined spaces entry techniques and over 10000 linear metres of utilities were mapped. Due to the busy city centre location of the site the utility infrastructure was extremely complicated with major high voltage cables, fibre optics and trunks sewers within the vicinity. The congestion of the site and the testing weather conditions at the time made this survey more demanding than most, however the outcome was an extremely detailed and accurate survey.
Subscan supplied the client with data in both AutoCAD 3D and MX Genio formats.
For further information and a selection of high and web optimised images please contact Philip Tutt at 360 Integrated Marketing on:
Tel: 44 (0) 7785 718901 E-mail: philip@360integrated.com Twitter: @360IntegratedPR
About Subscan Technology – Subscan Technology was established 20 years ago and is theUK’s leading supplier of services aimed at the detection and avoidance of underground utilities and other hazards. Its experienced utility detection and ground penetrating radar teams provide fullUKcoverage from three offices in Rugby, Yeovil andDoncaster.
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