ASSESSMENT OF FERROUS PIPELINES: A NEW DEVELOPMENT

摘要

New developments in non-destructive testing technology are yielding excellent results in the condition assessment and life-span estimation of ferrous water mains, sewers and gas supply pipes. The recently developed "Mains Assessment Probe" (MAP) techniques enable cost-effective pipeline condition assessment to assist asset managers with allocation of maintenance and repair budgets, allowing uninterrupted service from vital infrastructure. MAP is an Australian product, designed and patented by Rock Solid Research in Melbourne, Australia. The US company American Investigation and Assessment Inc of Washington DC (gradal@qwest.net) is a broad based investigation and assessment group who use the Rock Solid technology, along with others, to provide utilities worldwide with comprehensive evaluations of the condition of water, sewer and gas networks The ferrous pipe MAP is particularly useful for condition assessment of water mains. It utilises broadband electromagnetics (BEM) technology to record data over a broad range of frequencies. A significant advantage of this probe is the ability to survey through ferrous pipe coatings or linings. A recent case history from Redcliffe, Queensland, provides impressive evidence of the opportunities afforded by this leading-edge technology. Alternatively, non-ferrous pipe MAP provides pipe embedment analysis essential for its structural integrity. By emitting low electromagnetic radiation through the pipe wall into the surrounding soils the technique is capable of detecting structures such as voids, deconsolidated ground and other sub-surface micro-geological features.