AC26 A New Tool for Concrete Cylinder Force Main Condition Assessment - External Electromagnetic Thickness Testing
Recorded On: 04/07/2026
-
You must log in to register
- Non-member - $45
- Member - $35
CWEA Members: $35.00
Non-Members $45.00
CWEA Contact Hours: 1.0 contact hours towards CWEA Certifications: CSM
Description:
A new tool is available for concrete cylinder force main condition assessment: electromagnetic (EM) thickness testing. This tool does not require destructive methods that increase risk and defeat the purpose of assessment, nor does it require deployment of equipment on the inside of the pipe. V&A is piloting a technique developed in the oil and gas industry to use an EM probe on the outside of the pipe to measure metal thickness. Ross Valley Sanitary District's seven-mile force main system is about 42% reinforced concrete cylinder pipe (RCCP), with a steel cylinder surrounded by cement and outside steel reinforcing, installed between 1958 and 1986. RVSD would prefer avoidance of costly replacement if a non-destructive condition assessment technique would indicate more years of remaining service. The application of EM testing to a section of RCCP pipe along a known corrosion gradient will be presented, along with costs, equipment, procedures and results, and the potential application of EM testing in RVSD's broader condition assessment program will be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand electromagnetic testing equipment, procedures, and costs, and how they relate to metal thickness of force main assets and their remaining useful life.
- Understand how the study of a gradient of defective pipe, using corroded section of bypass force main, demonstrated the usefulness and sensitivity of EM testing to measure metal pipe thickness.
- Evaluate whether to invest in electromagnetic testing as a targeted condition assessment tool and compare it with other force main condition assessment techniques and force main management approaches.
AC26 Recorded Sessions Sponsored By:
Steve M. Moore, PE
General Manager
Ross Valley Sanitary District
Steve Moore has been General Manager of the Ross Valley Sanitary District in Marin County, California since 2018. He is a registered civil engineer, responsible for a staff of 37 employees, an annual operating budget of $25 Million, an annual capital budget of $15 Million, and a service population of 47,000. He has over 35 years experience as a water resources professional, including 20 years as staff and board member at the State and Regional Water Boards, culminating in serving as Vice Chair of the California State Water Board. He has over 10 years experience as an environmental and engineering consultant with work experience in rural and urban settings throughout California, specializing in wastewater and aquatic resources. He has a B.S. in biological sciences and an M.S. in civil and environmental engineering, both from Stanford University.
Noy Phannavong, PE
Condition Assessment Practice Lead
V&A Consulting Engineers
Noy has over 18 years of experience working on infrastructure condition assessment projects. His duties include planning and managing projects, collecting and analyzing data, conducting engineering evaluations, and preparing engineering reports and rehabilitation design documents. He is well-versed in various condition assessment technologies for collecting data in the field, as well as the data analysis aspects in the office. With his unique field experience working on condition assessment projects, Noy assists his clients in solving unique challenges related to preserving water and wastewater infrastructure.
Registrants who view the live webinar to see the slides and hear the audio and then enter the correct attention check code (directions below)1.0 contact hours towards CWEA's Contact Hours, CSM
To receive your contact hours for viewing the live webinar, please note the one (1) attention check code that will be displayed during the webinar in the top left or right corner of the presentation for approximately 90 seconds. Please enter this code in the Attention Check Code component under the "Contents" tab.
Please note, all user activity of CWEA certification holders on the Online Wastewater Education Network is subject to the CWEA Code of Ethics standards for professional conduct and ethics. Certification holders should receive credit for a training only once within the same contact hour period. Any attempt to undermine the certification process may be subject to ethics procedures and possible sanctions. It is not possible to receive contact hours for both attending the live webinar and viewing the recording.
Once you have entered the correct attendance check code, you will be able to create and download an electronic "Certificate of Completion" under the "Contents" tab.