Condition Assessments
Because a single asset failure can be catastrophic, it is essential for municipalities, commercial property owners utility, and other individuals responsible for public safety to routinely retain the services of NACE-certified inspectors and failure analysts.
Matergenics provides structural integrity inspection and risk assessment services for aging infrastructure including T&D towers, power poles, cell towers, monopoles and high-mast lighting towers, in addition to a wide range of similarly critical structures.
KNOWLEDGE-BASED INSPECTIONS & RISK ASSESSMENT
Matergenics’ Knowledge-Based Inspection (KBI) is an inspection condition assessment methodology that is used to detect, among other things, corrosion risk on the embedded portions of assets such as poles, lattice towers, grillage and anchor rods without the need for extensive and costly excavation.
Based on the KBI test results, the rate at which corrosion is taking place can be calculated and estimated life expectancy determination can be made. KBI can include the identification of structures at risk of corrosion prior to
on-site assessments, estimating corrosion rates, life expectancy determinations and setting a baseline that can be used for future evaluations. As part of our KBI protocol, we also evaluate the above grade portion of assets.
POLE, CONDITION ASSESSMENT & INSPECTIONS
Matergenics certified engineers and technicians have many years of experience in condition assessment, corrosion risk assessment and corrosion mitigation for the following structures:
Painted Steel, Galvanized and Cor-ten Utility and Light Poles
Galvanized and Cor-ten Traffic and High Mast Lighting Poles
Aluminum Traffic and Light Poles
Cracking of traffic and light poles can result from wind loading due to improper design. Manufacturing defects and improper paint coatings result in early failure in service. Corrosion on poles is directly related to the atmospheric and soil conditions present for the unique location of a given pole structure, as well as to the materials of manufacturing and the quality of these materials.
Common causes of early failure in service:
1) Internal corrosion due to the presence or entrapment of corrosive water (electrolyte)
2) External corrosion due to corrosive atmospheric and environmental conditions
3) Fatigue of traffic and light poles due to wind loading and inadequate design
4) Manufacturing defects and improper paint coating selection and application
5) Little or no maintenance in corrosive environment
6) Accumulation of debris and soil under base plate
Our Condition Assessment Considers:
High Elevation Atmospheric Corrosion
Low Elevation Atmospheric Corrosion
Ground Level
Shallow Burials
Deep Burials Due to Low pH
Concrete Degradation
Coating Degradation
Stray Current Corrosion
Copper Grounding
DATA MANAGEMENT & GIS MAPPING
Matergenics offers a complete package of on-site support, data collection, GIS mapping and analysis, and delivery of solutions customized to your application. Our team of trained and certified data technicians and extensive support
staff provide expert analysis utilizing the very latest in technology in order to present the most accurate and reliable information.
Matergenics has the ability to develop customized data integration solutions for your existing management software. From small to large, simple to complex, we turn data into decisions to help you manage your risk and recovery programs.
This comprehensive program can be used for better decision making, improved communication and record keeping and can offer the ability to answer questions and solve problems – often before they materialize.
CONDITION ASSESSMENT BY CLIMBING INSPECTION
Inspection Overview
The overall condition of the tower structural members, climbing facilities, fasteners, and other components are evaluated. Visual and physical checks are performed to ensure that the tower and subsystems are structurally sound and functional.
Tower load bearing members, conduits, ladder, stairways, and fasteners will be checked, documented and the severity of corrosion will be reported by our experienced climbers and NACE certified corrosion engineers. Corrosion mitigation (coating selection, surface preparation and application of coating per SSPC and NACE specifications will be provided for the client’s review.
Inspection Procedures
1) Physical inspections and UV thickness measurements are performed using Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges to determine steel member thickness.
2) All corners of the towers are checked at the ground level and at any location that appears questionable with a three-point check that covers the leg and the braces on either side of it.
3) Coating thickness is checked using an Elcometer 456 Coating Thickness Gauge
4) Galvanized thickness and protective organic coatings are measured
5) Concrete foundations and anchoring hardware are visually checked for damage. Concrete hardness tests are performed using a digital concrete test hammer.
INSPECTION AND CONDITION ASSESSMENT SERVICES
TRANSMISSION TOWER INSPECTION
COMMUNICATION TOWER INSPECTION
CORROSION INSPECTION & ANALYSIS
CATHODIC PROTECTION INSPECTION
NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION
PAINT AND COATING INSPECTION
QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTION
REMAINING LIFE ESTIMATIONS
CRACK GROWTH MONITORING
HURRICANE DAMAGE EVALUATION
POLE/LATTICE TOWER INSPECTION
GALVANIZED, COR-TEN AND PAINTED
FAILURE INVESTIGATION & FEA
ANCHOR ROD INSPECTION & FAILURE
EVALUATION OF PACK OUT
TECHNICAL AUDIT OF POLE PLANTS
POLE/LATTICE INTEGRITY ASSESSMENT
COMPUTERIZED ON-SITE INSPECTIONS
VISUAL ON-SITE INSPECTIONS
ON-SITE & LABORATORY INVESTIGATION
Additional Services
GIS Corrosion Mapping, Drone Inspection, & Thermographic Imaging
Paint Coating Selection for Above & Below Ground Applications
Custom Designed Cathodic Protection Systems
Monopole Fatigue, Fatigue Sensor, & Fatigue Mitigation
Stray Current Detection
Remaining Life Modeling and Estimation
Corrosion Engineering Training
We are Here to Help!
We respond to all customers promptly by sending a technical proposal to address testing, investigation and the proposal costs. If we need more information, our engineers will contact you.We respond to all customers promptly by sending a technical proposal to address testing, investigation and the proposal costs. If we need more information, our engineers will contact you. Whether you are a large corporation or a small enterprise, we will provide you with the attention you need and deserve. In so doing, we hope to work with you for many years to come.
Please call Dr. Zee at 412-952-9441, Tara at 412-537-6239 or 412-788-1263 and let us know how we can assist you in your soil investigation. Alternatively, you can send your request to info@matergenics.com.
Looking forward to hearing from you!