use of 3d technologies for managing utilities · use of 3d technologies for managing utilities...

Use of 3D Technologies for Managing Utilities

Research Contract DTFH61-12-C-00025

Federal Highway Administration

Cesar Quiroga, Ph.D., P.E. Senior Research Engineer, Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Traditional 2D Plan View

Use of 3D Technologies for Managing Utilities 2

3D Model Including Utilities


Utility Process and 3D Workflows

• Comprehensive development agreements (CDAs) – Concession development agreements

• Developer is responsible for all utility investigations

– Design-build projects • TxDOT conducts QLB (and some QLA) utility investigations

– Contract provision to support the use of 3D models • 3D model of existing surface AND underground features

(drainage structures, bridge and wall foundations, and utilities) • 3D design features for existing and proposed elements of work • Software that enables interactive 3D visualizations


Utility Process and 3D Workflows

• Design-bid-build projects – TxDOT conducts QLB (and some QLA) utility

investigations, but not consistently – Transition from 2D to 3D

• Business case • Plan on how to train TxDOT staff on the process to build 3D

models internally • Focus on basic functionality, not sophisticated rendering • Roadway surface and drainage features • Utilities: Broken lines shown on surface if Z data are not

available


FHWA Research Objectives

• Feasibility of having SHAs as the central repository of utility data within the state highway right-of-way

• Potential benefits of having accurate utility data available during project development and delivery

• Barriers for collecting and managing utility location data, as well as strategies to overcome those barriers

• Cost to manage 3D utility location data and mark utilities with RFID technology


2D Utility Mapping • Utility location services: X, Y • Test holes at specified locations: Z (X, Y if surveyed) • ASCE/CI 38-02 Standard Guideline:

– QLD: Review of existing records: X, Y – QLC: Survey of visible appurtenances: X, Y – QLB: Geophysical methods for underground utilities: X, Y – QLA: Exposed utilities at specified locations: X, Y, Z

• Test holes • Valves • Manholes • Vaults • Building basement walls

Use of 3D Technologies for Managing

Utilities 7

Locations with QLA Data


Test hole Test hole Valve

Manhole

Assumed Curved Pipe Alignment



Manhole

Assumed Straight Pipe Alignment



Manhole

Assumed Horizontal Interpolation



Manhole

GPR and EMI Arrays

GPR array EMI array


3D Imagery – GPR Array

3D imagery Interpreted pipe locations


3D Imagery – EMI Array


Zoomed-in view, all levels shown

Zoomed-in view, with one level hidden

3D Model of Existing Facilities


Case Studies

• California: Data model, 3D modeling, 3D utility inventory • Connecticut: Guidelines for use of 3D in projects • Florida: Radar tomography for 3D utility mapping • Iowa: 3D for design and grading and paving AMG • North Carolina: data collection costs, 3D visualization • Texas: 3D for design and construction, utility conflict • Virginia: RFID for utility monitoring and inventory • Washington State: 3D for design and visualization • Wisconsin: 3D utility data collection


California – Port of Los Angeles

• $42M Berths 144-145 Backland Improvement Project • 21 acres of container terminal backland improvements • Design while existing berth was in operation

– Limited utility investigation capability – Existing utility records and info from utility companies

• Utility conflict management during construction – GPR-based utility inventory + test holes – 3D of existing and proposed utility installations – Effective web-based communication with designer


California – Port of Los Angeles

• Lessons learned: – Importance of quality inventory of existing utilities to

manage conflicts during construction – Focus on the basics, i.e., 3D design with no frills – Highly cost effective, will continue to use 3D for future

construction projects • Already used 3D for AMG earthwork • Would like to include utilities (both existing and proposed) • Need for standard library of 3D components

– Better to resolve utility conflicts during design


Texas – TxDOT

• Grand Parkway Project in Houston • $1.1 billion for segments F-1, F-2, and G


Texas – TxDOT

• 3D utility model and utility conflict resolution: – Review all previous utility information, including QLB data – Collect additional QLB and QLA data

• New utility installations on the ground after bidding

– Strengthen utility permitting process • PE signature and seal required • Field inspection and surveying required

– Build 3D utility model and integrate into main 3D model – Conduct ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ clash detections – Use UCM approach from SHRP 2 R15B


Washington State – WSDOT

• Process to develop 3D utility model: – Calculate spot utility elevations from data gathered at

points such as vaults, valves, basements, and records – Use SMEs to estimate depths between spot locations – Develop 3D utility model – Collect QLA data at critical locations – Update 3D utility model as needed


Washington State – WSDOT

• Maintain the utility data current during PDP: – Review all city construction permits

• Check for utility conditions that do not need a permit

– Review all One Call tickets – Contact utility owners and request information on

any changes – Walk the project and scan for evidence of new

construction – Conduct QLB investigation at locations with changes


Project Impacts


Cost/Benefit Item Project Impact

Costs of 3D modeling/BIM Additional upfront cost Minor project cost impact

Difficult to separate cost to develop 3D models

Minor project cost impact

Benefits of 3D modeling/BIM Reduction in construction change orders

75% fewer change orders

Project cost savings 4-15% of total project cost

Project Impacts


Cost/Benefit Item Project Impact

Costs of conventional QLB/QLA utility investigations

Cost to gather QLB and QLA data

0.2-3% of total project cost

Benefits of conventional QLB/QLA utility investigations

Coverage and detection 80-90% of utility facilities

Project cost savings 4% of total project cost

Costs of using advanced geophysics to generate 3D inventory of utilities

Cost to gather data 0.1-2% of total project cost

Benefits of using advanced geophysics to generate 3D inventory of utilities

Additional utility features detected and mapped

Depends on local conditions

Depth identification Significant benefit

Project cost savings Up to 4% of total project cost

Implementation Goals

Facilitate the development of

reliable repositories of utility facility

data

Highlight the benefits of

reliable, accurate utility data

during project development and delivery

Address barriers for collecting

and managing utility location

data

Document the cost and ROI of

collecting, using, and maintaining 3D utility data

Provide strategic support to

implementable strategies


Goal 1 Goal 2 Goal 3 Goal 4 Goal 5

Overarching Goal: Manage Utilities within the Highway Right-of-Way Effectively

Implementation Strategies


•Use utility data model •Strengthen utility permitting requirements •Update SHA policies and procedures

Goal 1: Facilitate the development of reliable

repositories of utility facilities

•Conduct webinars to highlight benefits of reliable utility inventories

Goal 2: Highlight the benefits of reliable, accurate

utility data during project development and delivery

•Use standards-based utility data collection and reporting protocols • Include mechanisms to update database in response to changes • Integrate 3D utility conflict management process

Goal 3: Address barriers for collecting and managing

utility location data

•Develop catalog of projects that manage utilities in 3D •Promote the use of RFID technology to mark utilities •Assess total cost of damage to underground utilities

Goal 4: Document the cost and ROI of collecting, using, and maintaining 3D utility

data

Implementation Strategies •Develop robust, reference 3D utility data model •Develop robust data exchange standard for utilities •Develop library of 3D components for utility installations •Develop manual for effective utility investigations • Improve coordination between SHAs and the One Call process •Develop tool to quantify utility location risk levels

Goal 5: Provide strategic support to implementable

strategies


Thank You!

• Additional information: – Cesar Quiroga, Ph.D., P.E. – Email: [email protected] – Phone: (210) 321-1229


mailto:[email protected]

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