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St. Andrews Lock and Dam Corrosion Protection System 5 Year Case Study

Abstract

The St. Andrews Lock and Dam (SALD) Corrosion Protection System exemplifies engineering foresight, innovation and the practice of investing in the future to protect this historic, vital structure. The 1900 vintage main truss spans, comprised of detailed, built- up, riveted latticed steel members, were successfully metallized using zinc aluminium (85/15) wire material during the harsh 1998/1999 Manitoba winter. Over 380,000 ft2 of structural steel was coated in the seven, 40-m-long spans. This was the largest metallizing project in North America at that time. One of three camere-style removable dam structures in the world, the St. Andrews Lock and Dam contributes to the quality of life in the Greater City of Winnipeg area and provides a vital road link between the communities of Lockport and St. Andrews, Manitoba. A five-year case study of this project, evaluates the key elements to this projectís success, which include the coating selection process and the life cycle cost analysis, construction inspection arrangement and innovative five-year warranty arrangement with a $300,000 returnable incentive. The life cycle cost analysis explores the need to critically evaluate real long-term costs required to maintain a structure over a selected 50-year service life. The unique 5 year warranty arrangement examines methods to add incentive, to motivate contractors to ìtake ownershipî to provide superb workmanship and to protect the ownerís interest. This case study provides an evaluation of a successful solution for the treatment of problematic maintenance areas such as packed rust joints with the use of stripe coating and caulking. It also discusses the 100% environmental containment system used to contain the blast media during removal of the old lead-based paint and how it allows metallizing to be applied at below 0 oC temperatures. Minimal warranty work has been required during the five-year warranty period, which ends this summer; and it has been a significant measure of the success of the coating system. Owned and Operated by Public Works and Government Services Canada, this $8 million dollar investment will ensure the structures vitality throughout the century.

Conference Paper Details

Session title:
INNOVATIONS IN BRIDGE ENGINEERING (A)
Author(s):
Bowen, D
Davidson, J
van Ginkel, R
Topics:
Structures
Year:
2004