Conoco Venco Inspection Lake Charles, LA

Project Description: Krech Ojard & Associates and Madcon Corporation provided Conoco Phillips/Venco with an engineering inspection of the existing pilings and bracing that support the loading docks and breasting dolphin structures. The inspection included engineering services for the underwater inspection of 71 steel pipe piles, a fender system with 18 steel H-piles and all the lateral bracing.

The engineer dive team was comprised of a three-man dive team utilizing one engineer as the dive inspector, one dive technician and one tender/diver. The engineer/diver utilized surface supplied diving techniques to support the underwater engineering inspection. Thickness gauge measurements were performed using a Cygnus 1 ultrasonic machine utilizing an underwater transducer. This device was calibrated on the surface before the engineer/diver entered the water to insure the accuracy of the measurements. An underwater color video camera was mounted to the engineer/divers dive hat to document all areas of inspection for future review by Krech, Ojard, & Associates and Conoco Phillips/Venco personnel.

The 'above water' inspection of the piles and horizontal and diagonal bracing was performed by a professional licensed structural engineer. Thickness readings of the steel were obtained using a Panametrics 26DL Plus ultrasonic thickness gauge, calibrated to a similar thickness of the actual steel member measured with a Panametrics block (serial A13D15). Steel members were surface cleaned for each reading point.

Recommendations for repairs were submitted to the clients after inspections are completed.