Invisible cables and pipes – How do we find what lies beneath?
This UT FieldLab experiment falls under the theme Urban spaces and infrastructure. View all experiments related to this theme.
Introduction
How do you locate cables and pipelines without digging, especially when there’s no reliable map? The Netherlands has over two million kilometres of underground infrastructure: electricity, water, gas, internet. Much of it is incomplete or inaccurately mapped. This experiment explores how to make these hidden networks visible – safely, quickly, and without damage.
What are we researching?
Our goal is to develop and test techniques for locating cables and pipes without excavation. This is essential to prevent damage, delays, and high costs during construction or maintenance.
How does it work?
At UT FieldLab, we’ve created a test site that mimics the complex subsurface of a city. Here, cables and pipes are laid in various configurations: in clay, sand, and mixed soils, under asphalt or paving, and in multiple layers. Engineers test technologies such as ground-penetrating radar, acoustic methods, electromagnetic detection, and advanced data analysis. By combining these techniques, we create accurate, up-to-date 3D maps of the underground.
Why is this important?
Underground infrastructure is the lifeline of our society. Errors in maps cause thousands of excavation incidents each year, leading to major economic losses and safety risks. By developing better detection methods, we can build new roads, sewers, district heating, and internet systems faster, safer, and more sustainably – without unnecessary damage.