Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) Standard: To Whom SUE Is Created
Publication: Pipelines 2023
ABSTRACT
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) defines utility engineering as a branch of civil engineering that focuses on the plan, position, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of utilities. Additionally, in 2002, ASCE published the first national standard for subsurface utility engineering (SUE) (i.e., ASCE 38). The second version of the ASCE 38 was published in 2022. One of the objectives of ASCE 38 is reducing the number of damages to underground utilities. The number of damages to subsurface infrastructure is a concerning issue in modern cities where essential daily services such as potable water, natural gas, and electricity are delivered through a dense network of underground utilities. This study explores the current understanding and utilization of ASCE 38 in the United States. Accordingly, an online stratified random sample survey was designed to collect relevant information from practitioners in the state of North Carolina. Among other findings, the lack of awareness of the SUE standard and its guidelines is of significant concern. Accordingly, an effort is needed to raise awareness and investment in SUE. Thus, the study results are anticipated to contribute to better utilization of ASCE 38, which helps improve damage prevention efforts in the United States.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this chapter.
REFERENCES
Al-Bayati, A. J. 2021a. “Infrastructure Damage Prevention Approaches in the United States.” Pipelines 2021, 102–108.
Al-Bayati, A. J. 2021b. “Firm Size Influence on Construction Safety Culture and Construction Safety Climate.” Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction, 26 (4): 4021028. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)SC.1943-5576.0000610.
Al-Bayati, A. J., and A. Kinter. 2022. “Subsurface Utility Engineering in Practice: Scope of Service Focus.” Pipelines 2022, 166–170.
Al-Bayati, A. J., and L. Panzer. 2019. “Requirements and Practices of Underground Construction Activities: Review of Recently Updated Act.” Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)LA.1943-4170.0000300.
Al-Bayati, A. J., and L. Panzer. 2020. “Reducing Damages to Underground Utilities: Importance of Stakeholders’ Behaviors.” J Constr Eng Manag. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001899.
Al-Bayati, A. J., and L. Panzer. 2022. “Rethinking Subsurface Infrastructure Management: The Emerging Need for Private Locating Firms.” Pipelines 2022, 67–72.
Al-Bayati, A. J., R. E. Sturgill, L. Panzer, S. M. Victorio, and T. Omer. 2022. “Locating underground utilities in the United States: A comparative analysis of services provided by private locators.” Transp Res Interdiscip Perspect, 16: 100707. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2022.100707.
Al-Bayati, A., and L. Panzer. 2021. Underground Utilities for Construction Practitioners and Homeowners. American Society of Civil Engineers.
Jeong, H. S., D. M. Abraham, and J. J. Lew. 2004. “Evaluation of an Emerging Market in Subsurface Utility Engineering.” J Constr Eng Manag, 130 (2): 225–234. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2004)130:2(225).
Mustard, C. A., and B. Yanar. 2023. “Estimating the financial benefits of employers’ occupational health and safety expenditures.” Saf Sci, 159: 106008. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2022.106008.
PHMSA. 2022. Summary of Damage Prevention Laws.
Sinha, S. K., Y. J. Jung, H. R. Thomas, and M. C. Wang. 2008. “Subsurface Utility Engineering for Highway Construction.” Pipelines 2008, 1–10.
Sturgill, R. E., T. R. B. Taylor, and Y. Li. 2018. Implications of State Departments of Transportation (DOTs): Participation in the One Call Process as an Underground Facility Operator. National Cooperative Highway Research Program.
Zembillas, N. M. 2003. “Subsurface Utility Engineering: A Technology-Driven Process that Results in Increased Safety, Fewer Claims, and Lower Costs.” New Pipeline Technologies, Security, and Safety, 1422–1428.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Pipelines 2023
Pages: 425 - 431
History
Published online: Aug 10, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Architectural engineering
- Building codes
- Building management
- Business management
- Construction engineering
- Construction management
- Energy infrastructure
- Geology
- Geotechnical engineering
- Infrastructure
- Lifeline systems
- Maintenance and operation
- Organizations
- Practice and Profession
- Professional societies
- Special condition construction
- Standards and codes
- Subsurface environment
- Subsurface utilities
- Underground construction
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.