Corrosion Control
Clamped form for epoxy encapsulation of a concrete pile. (Reagan Test Site - Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands)
In a marine environment, pilings and other structural members employed to support pier structures and waterfront facilities are constantly exposed to attack by corrosion, wave action, ultraviolet deterioration, and marine organisms.
Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is widely recognized as the least expensive and most cost-effective means of ensuring (and in many cases extending) the planned service life of any capitalized item. For example, the potential for galvanic corrosion of metals can be mitigated through the utilization of coatings, encapsulations, and/or the provision of cathodic protection.
Concrete’s principal enemies are damage from the chemical attack of its aggregate/cement matrix and the corrosion of the steel reinforcement necessary for its tensile strength. A variety of coatings and encapsulations can likewise be employed to repair and protect such structures.
Finally, timber pilings are subject to attack by bacteriological organisms and can be protected with similar methods.
Marine Structural Maintenance
For many owners of waterfront facilities, the marine structure is the essential component of their operation, without which their business operation could not continue. To ensure continued operation, maintenance inspections should be conducted at frequent, planned intervals.
Once an inspection is completed, an effective maintenance program will include an analysis of the inspection results and the planning and implementation of remedial action.
Turnkey Services
Substructure is able to provide comprehensive turnkey services in such situations. We routinely perform inspections on underwater structures and facilities, and have expertise in all commonly employed non-destructive testing methods. When sea conditions permit, we document such inspections with digital video and/or digital still photography.
Once a formal report is drafted and submitted, we will suggest specific solutions to any structural deficiencies discovered. Most importantly, we will explain why such suggestions are prudent, discuss the available options, and answer all of our client’s questions fully.
Once a client makes the final decision as to the preferred method of remediation, Substructure has the expertise to effectively design and efficiently install the chosen solution.
Corrosion Control
Substructure, Inc. has designed and installed many cathodic protection systems at marine facilities and directly onto vessels. After conducting a comprehensive inspection of a facility or vessel, our corrosion engineers will design a corrosion control system that incorporates all client requirements and which also accounts for any environmental and material variables.
Oftentimes several options will exist, and we will take the time to explain the benefits and drawbacks of each option. All systems are designed to NACE International standards.
Long Term Monitoring
All systems, regardless of design, require long term monitoring to ensure their continued effectiveness. Substructure will, at our client’s request, either perform this monitoring, or train our client’s maintenance personnel to conduct the necessary monitoring on their own.