Corrosion surveys
The consequences of corrosion in the United Kingdom alone can be measured in hundreds of millions of pounds per year making corrosion control arguably number one on the maintenance of buildings and structures priority list.
Corrosion affects so much of the built environment whether it be tunnel and shaft linings, foot, road and rail bridges, metal cladding through to the most common cause of spalling concrete - steel reinforcement corrosion.
The scientific mechanisms of corrosion are relatively well understood and documented however without specialist advice/knowledge costly mistakes can be and are made e.g. problems associated with dissimilar metals, stray current corrosion, anodic problems etc. There are many factors involved in understanding and controlling the constant and very costly threat of corrosion.
Detailed investigation, condition surveys and testing are of the utmost importance in corrosion control and planned maintenance, corrosion conditionIcorrosion rate surveys form a major part of asset management for most petro-chemical, power and water organisations.
From detailed surveys/monitoring life cycle costings, future maintenance budgeting is all made far more accurate.
Corrosion rates can be accelerated for many reasons. Changes in use of a pipe or tunnel, for example, wetting, drying or the ceasing/adding of elements that have an effect on the surrounding conditions/atmosphere, therefore it is always important for the survey engineers to be experienced and look at the contributing factors - because only when in possession of all the relevant information can an informed decision be made about a long term successful solution.
Corrosion affects so much of the built environment whether it be tunnel and shaft linings, foot, road and rail bridges, metal cladding through to the most common cause of spalling concrete - steel reinforcement corrosion.
The scientific mechanisms of corrosion are relatively well understood and documented however without specialist advice/knowledge costly mistakes can be and are made e.g. problems associated with dissimilar metals, stray current corrosion, anodic problems etc. There are many factors involved in understanding and controlling the constant and very costly threat of corrosion.
Detailed investigation, condition surveys and testing are of the utmost importance in corrosion control and planned maintenance, corrosion conditionIcorrosion rate surveys form a major part of asset management for most petro-chemical, power and water organisations.
From detailed surveys/monitoring life cycle costings, future maintenance budgeting is all made far more accurate.
Corrosion rates can be accelerated for many reasons. Changes in use of a pipe or tunnel, for example, wetting, drying or the ceasing/adding of elements that have an effect on the surrounding conditions/atmosphere, therefore it is always important for the survey engineers to be experienced and look at the contributing factors - because only when in possession of all the relevant information can an informed decision be made about a long term successful solution.
A typical investigation and condition survey would include:
- Visual examinations
- Photographic support
- Micro and Macro testing
- NDT thickness testing
- Defect marked drawings
- Life expectancy of elements
- Corrosion type Identification
- Budget rated remedial options