Take the Guesswork Out of Ports Infrastructure

There is now a new rapid method of analysing port infrastructure – such as piers, dolphins and offshore structures. Formed in 2008, STRAAM – Structural Risk Assessment and Management – enhances the safety of infrastructure through a revolutionary way of evaluating how the structure is actually performing. STRAAM’s dynamic signature delivers useful information and analyses and provides quantification of global structural behaviour, performance and degradation.
Differentiation
Conventional evaluations of marine structures may disrupt port operations and consist of limited field measurements such as ultrasonic thickness readings of selected steel members. Traditional field inspections also have intrinsic complications such as: water visibility and depth, minimal areas of exposed structure, or other physical restraints. Although traditional inspections and structural calculations can be performed to acceptable engineering practices and standards, they are typically limited to providing information in localised areas, whereas, STRAAM provides a holistic diagnosis of the structure. STRAAM’s condition assessment is expressed in terms of strength reduction or serviceability capacity based on its global structural behaviour. The assessment is performed in a non-invasive and non-destructive techniques that combine technology, invention and experience all while your port facilities remain uninterrupted.
Structure’s Heartbeat
The STRAAM Corporation developed a unique and innovative method of deriving value from port infrastructure that is similar to the medical EKG test – the sophisticated system evaluates the current state of health and the rate at which that health is changing. STRAAM’s SKG monitors the structure and does so without disruption to daily activities. Then the data is interpreted, the location of damage determined, and options for repair or maintenance are established. The actual condition of the structure is measured which often varies from that of its design either due to fatigue, wear, impacts, degradation, and situations where the construction varied from that of the design documents.
How it Works
The Dynamic Signature process relies on use of military spec servo accelerometers coupled with proprietary technology that is able to in most cases derive frequency and damping data from ambient vibrations. The SKG can usually collect data in one day, and the SKG equipment can be used by non-engineering staff with little training. The dynamic signature helps us to assess the loss of stiffness of the structure from its “as-designed” state to its “as-is” current state. A validated analytical model is then developed using all of the currently available structural and geotechnical information that is consistent with the measured dynamic properties. The model allows the provision of a diagnosis expressed in a number of ways including strength reduction or serviceability capacity. If the structure is compromised, STRAAM works with the Engineer of Record to provide a quantitative measure of where it is compromised and remedial solutions within a range of cost and time options. An SKG can also be placed on a marine structure for continuous (24/7) monitoring, the resulting data could then be made available in real time to STRAAM as well as port key personnel.
Budgeting Implications
The Structural Risk Assessment and Management system enhances the safety, reliability and sustainability of ports infrastructure, while facilitating the budgeting task for the port operator. By determining the performance and degradation rate of the various port structures, STRAAM can develop a prioritisation of repair where the owner can budget his capital expenditures for improvements or maintenance. STRAAM can also be utilized to take measurements on a time-interval basis to determine if the structure is in imminent danger of partial or complete collapse thereby assisting staff in making more accurate recommendations as to when the structure needs to be replaced or if further structural deterioration is occurring.
Recent Success
At the Port of Tubarao, Vitoria, in Brazil STRAAM was tasked to review the berthing dolphins, mooring dolphins, hopper and trestle of the port. The Port facility is used to move iron ore to transport ships and is operated by Companhia Vale do Rio Doce. The structure is very complicated due to the dynamic movement of the loading arms on the pile supported structures. Using the STRAAM SKG with three sensors, STRAAM obtained the dynamic signature of the various support structures and based on our validated mathematical model our results concluded that apart from a foundation failure in one dolphin, the rest of structure was in a good state of health. STRAAM continues to undertake challenging marine projects and is currently awaiting notice to proceed with a pier/jetty structure in the UK and berthing structures in St Croix, US Virgin Islands.