Structural repairs and stabilization of marine facilities
As older facilities reach the end of their useful life, maintenance and stabilization of facilities become an increasingly vital component of ongoing use and compliance with updated facility standards. In fact, owners and designers of offshore or marine facilities face significant challenges due to a wide range of structural types, severe environmental conditions, and most importantly rapid degradation of materials. Why? Because a significant number of facilities in the offshore and marine industry were constructed in the past and now many of these buildings have reached the end of their planned service life, deterioration in the form of steel corrosion, concrete cracking, and spalling is observed frequently. In addition, many of these structures were built to carry loads that are significantly smaller than the current needs. Because of these factors, many structural engineers are faced with the challenge of evaluating and implementing effective and economical repair and strengthening programs.
Unfortunately, there is no single solution that offers a simple, straightforward method for all repair and strengthening projects. furthermore, the processes of repairing and retrofit of existing structures are complicated because most of these structures are occupied, and much of the mainstream construction community’s expertise is centred on new construction. However, success can be achieved if the repair and strengthening systems are tailored to serve a structure’s intended use without interfering with its occupants or function. The key to success is a combination of the different design skills and application techniques—structural strengthening and structural repair—necessary for such projects. As such, the engineers must rely on their expertise in mechanical and structural principles to develop a comprehensive retrofit solution.
At the same time, performing a comprehensive and accurate condition assessment, which includes above- and below-water engineering and material condition surveys is critical to the planning and design process for repairs, stabilization and maintenance. During this process, destructive and non-destructive testing can be performed on timber, concrete and steel structures with photographic and video verification. DELTA GROUP has extensive experience in this field, with many projects of a unique nature without any previous precedence.