The actual protection provided to structures by Cathodic-Protection (CP) systems will often be different from that predicted by design calculations. This is for various reasons, including for example coating degradation at a rate different from the accepted standards and practices , assumed environmental conditions not being representative, etc. In addition, structural or CP system changes and retrofits may have been made. It is important, therefore, that models of the structure, used to predict the current and future protection provided by the CP system, are recalibrated as survey data become available during the life of the structure.
Because the models used to simulate CP systems are non-linear and time-dependent, manual calibration processes can be difficult and time-consuming. Additionally, with the development of new sensor technologies providing the opportunity for more real-time CP data, there is a need for an automated approach to calibration.
A new approach has been developed to automate the process of model calibration and evaluation of predictions as new data from the CP system becomes available. The proposed approach utilises an integrated scientific computing platform including the CP model and relevant analytical tools to perform four key steps of (1) mapping the model parameters to the inspection data, (2) model performance validation, (3) reduced-order modelling that includes developing approximation model and (4) optimisation-based parameter updating.
In this paper, a case study is presented for a marine structure for which modelling has been used to predict the protection potentials over the life of the structure.
The aim of any digital transformation of integrity management and in particular corrosion control is the improvement of communication efficiency, planning efficiency and maintenance efficiency. Key issues are predictive maintenance and clarity of the information available so engineers can make informed decisions. Therefore it is not just a question of collecting more information but also the way that information is used and shared with the decision-makers.
