Winter 2006
Focus On
Assistance with Corrosion Control Design Guidelines
By Jose L. Villalobos, P.E.
Over the past 26 years V&A has been asked to develop corrosion control guidelines for various public agencies. These agencies have included the City of
Developing Corrosion Control Guidelines
Figure 1 shows a typical diagram developed by V&A for the condition assessment of a structure at a wastewater facility. The top half of the diagram covers the determination of the condition of the reinforced concrete and metallic components being evaluated. The bottom half of the diagram covers the three exposures found in wastewater treatment plants. These are atmospheric, immersed and buried exposures.
(click here for enlarged view)
The guidelines often include:
A. Standard Details
B. Standard Specifications
C. Material Selection Guidelines
D. Standard Test Procedures
E. Recommended Staffing Levels for Corrosion Control
From V&A’s perspective, corrosion control guidelines provide public agencies with a tool that can greatly enhance their Asset Management Program. Currently, many public agencies are reevaluating the way they look at their infrastructure (assets). Many agencies are now looking at the total costs of a project from the conceptual level to the final decommissioning task. Certain assets like motors and pumps have very specific life cycle costs. However items such as pipelines and sedimentation tanks have an undefined life cycle. Corrosion control guidelines can provide a framework for the development of various life cycle options. They include:
A. run to failure,
B. repair as required,
C. operate with a preventative maintenance program to yield an indefinite life.
Implementing the Guidelines
The success of corrosion control guidelines often hinges on the support received from the City Council, Board of Directors, General Manager, Chief Engineer, Chief Operations and Maintenance Manager, and the line workers. A corrosion control program cannot be successful without the support of all of the parties impacted by the guidelines.
The selection of a responsible professional to manage the corrosion control program is a critical factor that all public agencies must evaluate if they are considering implementing a corrosion control program. We have seen corrosion control programs stall primarily because no single individual was responsible for the program. A corrosion control program will evolve as projects are planned, designed, operated and maintained. As Asset Management Programs are added to the mix, the amount of change can overwhelm an agency.
The following steps are recommended to any public agency considering a corrosion control program and setting up corrosion control guidelines:
- Designate a responsible professional to manage the program
- Present the program to all impacted individuals;
-City Council or Board of Directors
-General Manager
-Chief Engineer
-Department Managers
-Inspectors
-Design Engineers
-Planners
-Operation and Maintenance Staff - Hold Quarterly Meetings in which the responsible professional updates all key agency personnel in terms of corrosion control and provides input to the agency’s Asset Management Program, if it is in place.
- For smaller projects, use mandatory standard designs for corrosion control. This saves the agency, designers, contractors and vendors time and money. Currently the City of
- Require the responsible professional for the agency or the agency’s representative, to sign off on all design drawings and reports prepared for the agency.
V&A’s Experience with Corrosion Control Guidelines
V&A has assisted public agencies and private companies with creating standard details and specifications, designing and testing cathodic protection systems, and implementing corrosion control master plans. Contact V&A at the number below if any further information or guidance is needed with respect to these services.
V&A Consulting Engineers
1999 Harrison Street, Suite 975, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone 510-903-6600 Fax 510-903-6601
One Riverway, Suite 1700, Houston, TX 77056
Phone 713-840-6490
www.vaengr.com
Copyright 2005