ACA 2016, NZ
The Australasian Corrosion Association (ACA) brings together representatives of diverse technical streams at an international meeting each year to embark on the quest of mutual understanding and support. ACA’s 2016 three-day conference held in Aotearoa, New Zealand hosted over 450 of world's experts that fight corrosion on a daily basis. An Infracorr delegation attended to stay up to date with the latest technical knowledge and learn about issues facing our industry.
“The global cost of corrosion is estimated to be US$2.5 trillion, which is equivalent to 3.4% of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (2013)” - NACE International 2016
"By using available corrosion control practices, it is estimated that savings of between 15 and 35% of the cost of corrosion could be realised (i.e. between US$375 and $875 billion annually on a global basis” - Sandy Williamson, NACE International (2016)
Technical Insights
This event served as a rich source of the latest information concerning corrosion prevention, control and repair. Some of the highlights included David Celine from Onmiflex discussing the “Application of Smart TR Technology to Reduce Installation and Operating Costs of Impressed Current CP Systems in Long Structures”, Freyssinet’s Nick Critchley presenting his paper “A Case Study of the Construction Methods and Practices Utilised to Safeguard Ongoing Structure Durability” based on Melbourne’s Webb Dock project. International presenters included Christian Christodoulou, AECOM, who presented on the Service Life Extension of State Highway 16 State Bridges”, New Zealand’s first Hybrid corrosion protection application.
Concrete Forum Discussions
With the renowned Vinsi Partners’ Warren Green, who chaired this forum, and three other industry leaders, the concrete forum facilitated the sharing of knowledge and experience from both academic and industrial knowledge of the electrochemical protection of reinforcement. Jack Tinnea of Tinnea & Associates related his experiences as an independent consultant in the USA. Garath Glass, CPT, and David Whitmore, Vector Corrosion, spoke respectively about Hybrid Treatment and Galvanic Anode Treatment of Concrete. As usual, the forum featured robust discussion of the various topics broached. Lively debates took precedence over competition when discussions on the technological benefits of different available concrete CP systems and their technical merits were raised.
Award and Achievements
Infracorr’s very own Dean Ferguson was recognised with the David Whitby Best Review Paper, written in conjunction with our client, Colin Trewern from Jacobs Engineering Group. Awarded for their ideas on the ‘Design Challenges Associated with the Use of Non-Metallic Materials in Marine Sheet Pile Walls’; their paper was presented at the 2015 ACA Corrosion and Prevention Conference in Adelaide.
Diverse Technical Streams
Latest developments in various fields, ranging from fundamental corrosion to hands on application such as construction, oil & gas, mining, cultural and historical materials preservation, power generation, maritime, asset management, food processing, and defence were addressed across four streams over three action packed days.
While design, construction, operation of facilities and infrastructure are some of the most rewarding investments for organisations and governments, corrosion and material degradation continues to occur at varying rates, posing an asset management challenge for these investors. NACE claims the industry thus suffers losses of millions of dollars each year through disadvantaged infrastructure and aims to minimise this impact by assembling innovative industry leaders to drive this movement.
This premium networking event served as a source of ideas, for Infracorr and other industry experts alike, involving them in best practices to improve the scope of knowledge, durability of structures and standards of industry. We are very grateful to the Australasian Corrosion Association (ACA) for their persistent efforts and conferences that benefit us all collectively.