ACFM

Civil Engineering Applications

Many civil engineering structures contain or comprise steel frameworks, welded together and then painted or galvanised to prevent corrosion. These are ideal for inspection by ACFM due to its ability to work through coatings.

Typical structures that are inspected with ACFM include cranes, bridges, theme park rides and lamp-posts.

The inspection of cranes is complex because of their location, their height and the fact that the majority of them are coated in an anti-corrosion paint. All of these factors mean that normal inspection techniques are very difficult to apply.

In the absence of a suitable inspection technique, some cranes are removed from service because of their age without knowing the complete condition of the crane. Inspection and confirmation of their structural integrity would elongate their useful life. When inspection is possible a crane can be out of service for a number of weeks while the coating is removed for magnetic particle inspection and then reapplied.

The ability to use ACFM with rope access technicians allows application in areas of difficult access without the need for scaffolding or other support structure. In addition out-of-service time is reduced as the use of ACFM eliminates the need to remove and reapply paint or other protective coatings.