Condition Assessment of PCCP
Industry experience has shown that when utilities implement the proactive condition assessment, failure of PCCP (prestressed concrete cylinder pipe) can be averted and the remaining life of a critical transmission main can be extended. In fact, 96% of PCCP pipe have been reported as having no broken wire wraps. This means that 96% of PCCP has the same factor of safety as the day it was installed.
Assessment of PCCP is part art and a lot of science. Through our understanding of common failure modes and technologies designed to reduce logistical inconvenience of condition assessment we can provide a variety of solutions for particular projects. Common failure modes and how Insight Water Technologies solutions identify these failure modes include:
- Broken wire wraps: The most common failure mode of PCCP is broken wire wraps associated with corrosion or hydrogen embrittlement related damage. Our near field testing solutions quantify the length of broken wire wraps zones.
- Leakage: Most leaks on PCCP occur at joints, which can lead to broken wire wraps in close proximity to a joint. Our leak detection tools provide early detection of this failure mode and compliment near field testing inspections.
- Overloading/Point Loads: Overloading or point loads result in particular cracking patterns that can be identified through visual inspection.
- Inadequate Thrust Restraint: Visual inspection or leak detection can identify joints that are opening due to inadequate restraint.
Piloted Near-Field Electromagnetic Testing
Manual inspection of PCCP to quantify broken wire wraps
Free-Swimming High-Resolution Assessment
Deployed while a pipeline remains in service, our XK Series collects a variety of high-resolution condition assessment data.
Free-Swimming Multi-Sensor Sphere
Collects a variety of condition data, including leak and gas pocket detection.
Visual & Sounding Inspections
Tried and true visual and sounding inspections identify visual evidence of pipeline deterioration.