HKCTC Webinar – Underground Utility Survey Based on Nondestructive Testing, Surveying, Imaging and Diagnostic (NDTSID) Approaches

Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification (HKCTC) arranged a webinar named “Underground Utility Survey Based on Nondestructive Testing, Surveying, Imaging and Diagnostic (NDTSID) Approaches” on 5^th Jan 2021.  The webinar aims to introduce the latest development in conducting underground utility (UU) surveys using NDTSID approaches. HKAS and PolyU are co-organizers.

 

The first speaker was Dr Victor Khoo (Director, Survey & Geomatics, Singapore Land Authority) and his topic entitled “Digital Underground: Towards a Reliable Underground Utility Map in Singapore”.  Firstly, Dr. Khoo introduced Singapore Land Authority (SLA) which acted as the main custodian’s of Singapore’s Land Assets to support the economic and social development of Singapore.

Then he briefed the SG Digital Twin that will power cities of tomorrow.  There are 14 core datasets and 6 key add-on datasets under Geodata Framework.  The need for a reliable map of subsurface utilities in Singapore was mentioned.

After that Dr. Khoo introduced the digital underground project which aimed towards developing a reliable map of subsurface utilities in Singapore for planning and land administration and the project separated into Phase 1 (Jan 2018 – Jun 2019) and Phase 2 (Jul 2019 – Jun 2021).  The long-term vision was discussed from plan, design, test and embed.

Finally, Phase 2 work package structure was briefed and it included WP1, WP2, WP3 and WP4 sessions.

In WP2 about Data Collection and Management Platform was stated with quality control flow under authoritative 3D GIS (Utility data) before Data use.

The second speaker was Mr Simon Leung (Chief Engineer/Development, Water Supplies Department) and his presentation was “Application of Leak Detection Technologies in Water Supplies Department of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR”.  In the beginning, Mr. Leung briefed the background of water supply in Hong Kong.

Then Mr. Leung mentioned about water loss management strategy and briefed the four pillars of water loss management.

After that he stated four typical steps of leak detection including monitoring, localization, pinpointing and confirmation.

Finally, Mr. Leung introduced WSD Water Intelligent Network (WIN).

Lastly, Mr. Leung stated their collaborative development of the leak detection service trade including Training and Exam, R&D and Collaboration.

The third speaker was Ir Dr Wallace Lai (Associate Professor, Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University) and his presentation title was “How can Technologies of Nondestructive Utility Survey be Standardized in Specifications”.

Firstly, Dr. Lai briefed 6 common Nondestructive Testing, Surveying, Imaging and Diagnostic - Underground Utility (NDTSID-UU) technology including Pipe Cable Locator, Ground Penetrating Radar, Laser Scanning, Visual Inspection, Acoustic Emission and Flow Survey.

Then he briefed the quality level of survey output based on BSI PAS 128:2014 (Specification for Underground Utility Detection, Verification and Location).  Then he also introduced the ITF funded project for development of specifications and standards for UU survey based on NDTSID approaches.

The specifications are based on 4M and 1E for accreditation.  And then Dr. Lai briefed it one by one. 

Finally, he mentioned a typical office and witness assessment in an on-site visit and shared some non-conformance (NC) cases.

The last speaker was Ir Dr Fiona Chan (Senior Accreditation Officer, Hong Kong Accreditation Service) and her topic named “Accreditation for Underground Utility Survey”.  Firstly, she briefed the role of accreditation that determines organizations’ technical competence, integrity and impartiality.

Then Dr. Chan briefed the number of accredited bodies by HKAS and more than 1/3 were under construction.

After that she mentioned the whole accreditation process from application to accreditation granted.

Lastly, Dr. Chan introduced the HOKLAS supplementary criteria no. 55 – Construction Materials Test Category – Accreditation of Underground Utility Survey.  The specific requirements with respect to “Personnel (Approved Signatory & Testing Personnel)”, “Equipment & Calibration”, “Handling of Test Items & Records”, “Strengthening of Supervision” and “Proficiency Test”. 

Q&A

Reference:

HKCTC - https://www.hkctc.gov.hk