Problem Solving Forum
October 15 - October 19, 2018
What is the best way to achieve proper surface preparation in areas with limited access, such as interior box beams on bridges?
Selected Answers
From
Luis Tapia of ETSA SGS on
October 25, 2018:
Appropiate design is the first step. If that was n ...read more
Appropiate design is the first step. If that was not posible or considered, use Vapor Phase Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI) and program their maintenance.
From
Sukhmander Singh of Serv Consult on
October 24, 2018:
One can only minimize corrosion inside the box by ...read more
One can only minimize corrosion inside the box by passing all the steel, before fabrication, through a preservation line using a weldable primer.
From
jerrod monaghan of Metalizing Technical Services on
October 24, 2018:
The solution couldn’t be easier...use cathodic pro ...read more
The solution couldn’t be easier...use cathodic protection by metalizing the areas you can reach and let chemistry do the work for you. The metalizing will protect the areas with limited access better than any other product, means or methods know to man.... because we can’t change the reactivity of noble metals no matter how hard we try! Coating manufactures have spent billions of dollars and many of us spent our entire careers trying to solve this riddle. In the end it’s as easy as... putting zinc on the steel!
From
trevor neale of TF Warren Group on
October 19, 2018:
I agree with Mike that there continues to be a maj ...read more
I agree with Mike that there continues to be a major disconnect between corrosion specialists and structural steel engineers. I would have thought, with current computer technology, that factors could be included to allow sufficient access to the all the surfaces to ensure long-term preservation.
From
Mike Winter of International Paint on
October 17, 2018:
Don't design bridges with box beams to start with! ...read more
Don't design bridges with box beams to start with! Engineers need to be educated on how to design structures in a manner that is consistent with achieving long term corrosion control, which includes understanding the limitations of surface preparation and paint application in maintenance situations.