Expanding BIM Strategies to Buried Construction Zones

By Rachel Rogers

Unanticipated structures beneath the surface of a construction site can quickly become costly and dangerous surprises. Underground utility networks for water, sanitary, storm, gas, communications and other subsurface facilities can be problematic for project teams when poor record keeping prevents construction crews from being aware of existing assets that have been added or abandoned over time. Risks resulting from unknown subsurface structures can range from project delays to damaged subsurface utilities to explosions that can threaten human lives.