Wavelet Inc. (Head Office: 2-3-21 Kōraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Sumitomo-Fudosan Iidabashi Building 3F Room 6, CEO: Tomoyuki Iwamoto) has conducted a demonstration to accurately locate underground infrastructure buried beneath roads, using a portable seismic source device “PASS,” developed by the Tsuji Laboratory in the University of Tokyo. This technology enables to detect buried objects at depths of 2 to 5 meters, which was difficult by conventional exploration methods. This technology has the potential to improve the efficiency for construction.
Background
Roads are often complicated with buried pipelines and cables, such as electricity, gas, telephone, water, and sewage systems. In order to prevent construction delays and design changes, it is crucial to identify the location of these underground utilities in advance. However, with conventional exploration methods, pinpointing the location of deep underground objects was challenging. As a result, accurate location identification was often only possible after excavation, leading to extended construction periods and accidents.
The purpose of this demonstration test was to address these challenges by utilizing the portable seismic source device “PASS” to conduct a detailed survey of underground objects. This technology aims to improve the accuracy of preliminary surveys and ensure smoother project execution.
Overview of the demonstration
“PASS” is a small and lightweight vibration source device that enables exploration in locations where conventional methods have struggled. In this demonstration test, “PASS” was used as a seismic source. By analyzing vibrations that traveled through the ground, the position of buried objects at a depth of up to 4 meters was identified. Through the analysis, the approximate position of a buried water pipe was estimated.
Future prospects
This technology has the potential for application in various fields. Moving forward, we aim to expand its scope of application, including:
- Detection of underground utilities
- Subsurface monitoring
- Detection of soft ground and underground cavities
About Wavelet Inc.
Wavelet Inc. is a startup company founded in 2022, based on research from the University of Tokyo. Utilizing seismic measurement technology developed in Professor Tsuji’s laboratory at the University of Tokyo, the company contributes to solving challenges in various fields, including CO₂ underground storage, underground monitoring, resource development, and geothermal power generation.
Contact Information
Wavelet Inc. Public Relations Contact Email: info@wvl.co.jp
