Geophysics successfully detects void beneath Missouri Taxiway

Excavation of void under a taxiway in Kansas City. The void was detected using geophysics.

Excavation of void under a taxiway in Kansas City. The void was detected using geophysics.

Airport authorities at the Charles B. Wheeler airport in Kansas City, MO were concerned about a leaking CMP joint 22-feet beneath the taxiway. The sand that was coming through the joint was detected on a video inspection of the culvert. They were concerned about possible voids above the leak and commissioned a geophysical survey. Two geophysical methods were used, ground penetrating radar and multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW). The void was detected using the methods, and subsequent excavation of the airport taxiway confirmed the presence of the voids with about the same dimensions as what was indicated by the geophysics. The work was performed by the St. Louis office of Geotechnology, Inc. [Source: CE News. Image: CE News]