Subsurface Utility Engineering - Part 2: Understanding CI/ASCE 38-02

 

The underground utility infrastructure of the USA and most parts of the developed world is vast, complicated and continues to grow at a rapid pace.   With this massive web of active and abandoned underground utility systems in place, all new excavations are at risk of encountering unplanned utility conflicts and causing potential damage.   The appropriate use of SUE services can prevent these problems. This 2-hour interactive online course discusses the American Society of Civil Engineer’s Standard CI/ ASCE 38-02 “Standard Guideline for the Collection and Depiction of Existing Subsurface Utility Data”.  This course is intended to assist the student with understanding CI/ ASCE 38-02, as well as to offer additional insight into the development and use of the Standard.  The course also elaborates on some of the subject matter and the techniques used in the acquisition of utility data.  Throughout the remainder of the text, the term “Standard” refers to CI/ ASCE 38-02 and the abbreviation SUE refers to subsurface utility engineering.

The course begins by discussing the history behind the development of the Standard.  It proceeds through the Standard emphasizing key aspects and providing well-rounded explanations of the concepts.  It also discusses the most common geophysical locating methods shown in the Standard’s appendices.

The course is intended to complement the author’s first course on SUE offered by RedVector.com, “Subsurface Utility Engineering - Part 1: Understanding SUE”.  However, it is not necessary to have taken that course prior to this one.  The Standard, CI/ ASCE 38-02 was published after the author’s first course; however, it didn’t differ, only complimented the discussion of SUE.

It is not imperative that the student possess a copy of CI/ ASCE 38-02; however, a more complete understanding of the material within the course and standard will be obtained.