The disclosure provides a depth indicator device for protecting a buried infrastructure asset, such as a water or gas supply pipeline or an electrical conduit. The device comprises an elongate member having an end region configured to be secured to an infrastructure asset below ground. The elongate member is configured to extend upwards from the infrastructure asset a predetermined distance towards a surface of the ground. When exposed during excavation of the infrastructure asset, the elongate member is adapted to indicate a distance to and/or a further depth of the buried infrastructure asset. The disclosure also provides a kit comprising a fixture or a fitting for a pipeline, such as a ferrule for a water supply pipeline or a gas supply pipeline, and an adapter for connecting a depth indicator device according to the disclosure to the fixture or fitting.

A robotic vehicle for moving above ground while fabricating a subsurface polymer layer to protect an underground structure is provided. The robotic vehicle includes: a body; a rotational member that contacts the ground and moves the body over the ground; a ripper assembly having a proximal end that moves with the body, and a distal end that moves underground at a fabrication depth in response to the movement of the proximal end while fabricating the polymer layer; a ground penetrating radar (GPR) that locates and measures a depth of the underground structure below the ground; and a computerized control system that controls the rotational member, the distal end of the ripper assembly, and the GPR to move the body over the located underground structure while tracking the location of the underground structure and fabricating the polymer layer at the fabrication depth and above the measured depth of the underground structure.

A robotic vehicle for moving above ground while fabricating a subsurface polymer layer to protect an underground structure is provided. The robotic vehicle includes: a body; a rotational member that contacts the ground and moves the body over the ground; a ripper assembly having a proximal end that moves with the body, and a distal end that moves underground at a fabrication depth in response to the movement of the proximal end while fabricating the polymer layer; a ground penetrating radar (GPR) that locates and measures a depth of the underground structure below the ground; and a computerized control system that controls the rotational member, the distal end of the ripper assembly, and the GPR to move the body over the located underground structure while tracking the location of the underground structure and fabricating the polymer layer at the fabrication depth and above the measured depth of the underground structure.

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for identifying non-metallic subterranean structures using amorphous metal markers associated with the structures. Some examples will include the amorphous metal in the form of one or more sections of an amorphous metal foil within a protective enclosure sufficient to physically isolate the amorphous metal foil from the surrounding Earth. The amorphous metal foil and enclosure may be in the form of a tape which either will be secured to, or placed proximate the subterranean structure, which may be, for example, a pipe or conduit, or other non-metallic structure.

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for identifying non-metallic subterranean structures using amorphous metal markers associated with the structures. Some examples will include the amorphous metal in the form of one or more sections of an amorphous metal foil within a protective enclosure sufficient to physically isolate the amorphous metal foil from the surrounding Earth. The amorphous metal foil and enclosure may be in the form of a tape which either will be secured to, or placed proximate the subterranean structure, which may be, for example, a pipe or conduit, or other non-metallic structure.

A tracer wire holder for use in securing tracer wires along the top of a pipe before burial. The tracer wire holder is comprised of a first section and a second section connected by a flexible planar intermediate section. The first section has generally arcuate outer and inner walls. The second section has generally planar outer and inner walls and a plurality of rib members projecting from the inner wall. Locking means is provided to secure first section with second section in a closed locked position The first and second sections form a cavity for receiving and securing a tracer wire when the first section is secured with the second section.

A tracer wire holder for use in securing tracer wires along the top of a pipe before burial. The tracer wire holder is comprised of a first section and a second section connected by a flexible planar intermediate section. The first section has generally arcuate outer and inner walls. The second section has generally planar outer and inner walls and a plurality of rib members projecting from the inner wall. Locking means is provided to secure first section with second section in a closed locked position The first and second sections form a cavity for receiving and securing a tracer wire when the first section is secured with the second section.

A carrier pipe is protected from corrosion by being received inside a casing at a location above ground. The casing, which can be formed from a polymer, defines a gap extending around an exterior surface of the carrier pipe. In one embodiment, the gap is substantially filled with a potting material having a corrosion-resistant property. In another embodiment, a self-contained impressed current cathodic protection system is received in the gap. A pull head is installed on the carrier pipe and/or casing for pulling the pipe assembly, including carrier pipe, casing, and elements received in the gap, into an underground bore as a single unit. In some embodiments multiple pipe assemblies are pulled together into the same bore.

A helical strake pole system that includes a tubular pole having a longitudinal axis and threaded attachment points. The system further includes a helical strake fin disposed circumferentially around a portion of the tubular pole along the longitudinal axis. The system further includes couplers disposed on the tubular pole. The couplers are configured such that each coupler has a first portion with a slot configured to receive an upper portion of the helical strake fin and a second portion configured to removably coupled to a threaded attachment point of the tubular pole. In addition, each coupler is configured to position a portion of the helical strake fin substantially perpendicular to a surface of the tubular pole.

A system is provided that increases the deformability of buried pipelines to accommodate combinations of vertical, lateral and longitudinal displacements and subsequent curvatures caused by ground movements. Installation of this system prevents concentration of deformations which may cause catastrophic failures such as buckling, yielding, rupture, and weld failures. The assembly includes an element provided adjacent a pipeline and collapsible in two orthogonal directions; one, the longitudinal direction of the pipe, and two, a direction of expected lateral movement of the pipe. The collapsible element is configured to resist soil pressure in a direction orthogonal to the first two directions, and further provided is a supporting backing element adjacent an end of the collapsible element opposed to the pipeline, to prevent exposure of the collapsible element to soil pressure in one of the two orthogonal collapsible directions. The size and configuration of the installation depends on the soil and pipe properties, and type/magnitude of expected displacements.