Assessment of Subsurface Infrastructures Condition Using Image-Based Non-Destructive Testing System

Research Title	..	:	..	Assessment of Subsurface Infrastructures Condition Using Image-Based Non-Destructive Testing System.
Principal Investigator	..	:	..	Prof. Sr. Dr. Mazlan Hashim
Research Description	..	:	..	Subsurface infrastructures, particularly the utility pipelines are buried in the publicly-owned urban underground areas such as
	..		..	the cycle ways, pedestrian areas and even railway foundations for supporting the city living. Most of these subsurface infrastructures were varied in terms of type and quality of materials through decades and occasionally centuries. The same utility of different ages is hence very different in chemical make-up and physical consistency (e.g.: density, air voids, impurities as inclusions) due to manufacturing processes. The extensive array of infrastructure that buried underground has resulted in problem to the construction activities particularly for assessing the condition of the infrastructure throughout their life cycle. The tasks of assessing the condition of these subsurface infrastructures in the absence of comprehensive information regarding these pipelines are hence very difficult and challenging. In this regards, this research is being proposed to provide a generic platform in which the physical infrastructure including their geometry and radiometry properties are mapped. Few non-destructive testing imaging instruments such as ground penetrating radar and pipeline defeat mapper are proposed in this research as it has wide acceptance in imaging subsurface features in most of the engineering practices in the metropolitan areas. By using these non-destructive methods, the cross-section profile of the buried utility pipeline can be acquired without excavation. Subsequently, the profile is used for condition assessment with relating to different ground condition. The implications for underground infrastructures, their embedded soil environment and the ground condition will be addressed in this research. The main output is ultimately desirable for assessing the condition of the buried utility pipelines and yet the influences of the ground on the utility infrastructure are being assessed as well for civil infrastructure management.