Survey of Subsurface Voids Around Underground Facilities Using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Exploration of 80 km of roadways and 20 km of sidewalks in Doksan 1-dong, 3-dong, and 4-dong
Geumcheon-gu (District Mayor Yoo Seonghun) announced that, starting this month, the district will conduct a subsurface cavity detection survey beneath road surfaces to prevent ground subsidence accidents, such as road collapses, and to strengthen public safety.
Recently, as underground development in urban areas has increased, ground subsidence accidents have continued to occur, heightening residents' concerns. The district is implementing the survey to systematically manage the safety of underground spaces and to proactively prevent accidents.
The "cavity detection" involves using ground penetrating radar (GPR) to investigate voids (cavities) formed in the ground around underground facilities, and, if necessary, to carry out restoration work. According to the Special Act on Underground Safety Management, managers of underground facilities are required to conduct a survey of the area around their facilities at least once every five years.
The survey methods are tailored to the characteristics of each area. For roadway sections, vehicle-mounted equipment will be used to survey each lane twice. For sidewalk sections, considering the pedestrian environment, electric cart-type and small-scale equipment will be used to conduct a detailed inspection of the entire sidewalk.
If any abnormal signs are detected during the survey, the presence of cavities will be confirmed through drilling and endoscopic imaging, and immediate restoration will be carried out. Small-scale cavities will be restored by injecting flowable fill material, while large-scale cavities will be investigated through excavation to determine the cause, followed by repair work.
Since launching a pilot project in 2021, the district has surveyed a total of 484 kilometers of roads in the area through 2024, discovering and restoring 127 cavities. Last year, the survey covered parts of Gasan-dong and Doksan-dong, and this year, the plan is to focus on Doksan 1-dong, 3-dong, and 4-dong, surveying 80 kilometers of roadways and 20 kilometers of sidewalks. In addition, the district will continue to survey for cavities under its management to proactively prevent ground subsidence accidents.
District Mayor Yoo Seonghun stated, "If the initial response to ground subsidence accidents is delayed, it can lead to major incidents, so proactive and systematic management is crucial," adding, "We will do our utmost to create a road environment where residents can walk with peace of mind through thorough cavity detection."
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