A facility required an engineering evaluation of an existing tank roof after limited inspection and thickness testing raised questions about whether the structure could safely support personnel during routine maintenance activities. With the condition of the roof requiring further verification, Chief Engineering was engaged to assess its structural integrity and determine whether limited personnel access could be safely permitted under defined maintenance conditions.
The project focused on evaluating the existing roof based on available inspection information, field conditions, thickness data, and the observed structural configuration. Chief Engineering’s objective was to provide the client with a clear and defensible assessment of the roof’s load-carrying capacity, along with the risks and limitations associated with personnel access.
The evaluation included field verification, review of available data, and structural analysis of the roof plate and supporting structure. During the investigation, information obtained through RFIs was provided for analysis; however, the findings were inconclusive. Rather than relying on insufficient information, the project team pursued additional testing to better understand the condition of the roof. A hardness test was performed to provide additional information for the engineering evaluation.
The additional testing highlighted the importance of having access to specialized nondestructive testing resources when evaluating existing industrial structures. The project also demonstrated the value of adapting the engineering approach when initial inspection data does not provide enough information to reach a confident conclusion.
The final engineering effort was intended to provide a formal determination regarding personnel access, including a go/no-go recommendation and conceptual next steps if the existing structure was determined to require additional action.
This project reinforced Chief Engineering’s approach to safety-critical evaluations: when the available information is inconclusive, additional investigation and testing can provide the data needed to make responsible engineering decisions. It also identified an opportunity to expand Chief’s capabilities and network of testing resources, including nondestructive testing services, to better support future structural evaluation projects.
