Inspection and Evaluation of Structures

PENTA offers highly detailed analysis of the behavior of structures subjected to various loading conditions, including physical and/or chemical attack, allowing precise diagnostics and the implementation of cost effective and structurally sound retrofit solutions. Our engineers have expertise in both concrete and steel structural pathology.

Inspection and rehabilitation of material storage structures

Visual inspection is the first step of a Maintenance Program to routinely track the performance of a structure. When a scheduled inspection detects a structural issue, remedial works should follow to make sure the structure is operating safely.

However, many industrial facilities do not have a Structural Maintenance Program. As part of a systematic approach that ensures the safest and most economical solution, PENTA provides detailed inspection and testing as the first step in assessing the condition of structurally critical areas. Tests include:

• Non-destructive testing of concrete and steel plates
• Concrete’s Reinforcement Mapping
• Concrete Lab Testing using core samples, taken from the structures in question

Structural pathology diagnosis

As part of the testing phase of the Structural Maintenance Program, PENTA also performs a structural pathology diagnosis.

The typical causes for structural issues are:

• Faulty design or false hypothesis of structural behavior and modeling
• Unexpected structural work conditions
• Unexpected foundation settlement
• Exposure to aggressive environmental conditions
• Effect of water or ice on concrete structures and foundations
• Fatigue effect due to unexpected or neglected dynamic actions

Diagnostics include:

• Detailed analysis based on visual and detailed inspections and structural calculations, including 3D Structural Numerical Models to simulate the structural problem.
• Consideration of all loads and load combinations acting on the structure and foundation during construction and operation.
• Consideration of the real boundary conditions (supports, load and displacement location, etc.)
• Evaluation of possible soil-foundation-structure interaction effects.
• Analysis and consideration of construction and maintenance conditions.

The diagnosis of a structural failure identifies the causes and most effective retrofit techniques:

• Structural behavior and construction techniques for the best repair method.
• Non-linear theories and computational models for structures and construction materials (i.e., concrete, steel, soils, rock, etc.)
• Experimental tests to evaluate the structural failure.

The information from the inspection and results from tests are used to assess the state of the structures. With this knowledge, PENTA develops a CapEx for the remedial works associated with the requirements of the original code and the cost to upgrade the structures to the current design code.

For further information on PENTA’s proven approach to the inspection and rehabilitation of material storage structures, please see PENTA’s Presentation on Inspection, Design, and Execution of Remedial Works for Silos, Storage Tanks and Bunkers and Article about Silo Roofs.