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Out of Sight, Out of Mind? Don't Ignore Pipeline Corrosion
Author(s) -
Ratliff Alison,
Fox Steven R.,
Frechette Eric
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
opflow
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1551-8701
pISSN - 0149-8029
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8701.2009.tb02321.x
Subject(s) - corrosion , pipeline transport , pipeline (software) , mortar , water pipe , engineering , forensic engineering , sight , petroleum engineering , environmental science , materials science , civil engineering , metallurgy , composite material , mechanical engineering , optics , physics , inlet
The article discusses a recent critical‐condition assessment of pipe that was performed in a water transmission system in southern Nevada to identify any active corrosion on pipes constructed prior to year 2000. In 2007, the failure of a cement‐mortar lined and coated (CML&C) steel pipe raised concern about the system's older pipelines. The initial assessment project covered 10 mi of a 96‐in. diameter CML&C steel pipe. A consulting engineering firm and several subconsultants applied specialized inspection technologies for water pipeline condition assessment and developed strategic fieldwork phases for using the technologies. The phases discussed in the article included: soil corrosivity; pipe‐to‐soil potential; direct assessment; and, evaluation and recommendations. The article includes an insert discussing destructive and nondestructive thickness measuring methods called ultrasonic thickness (UT) and hand‐scanning kit (HSK).