Repair and Retrofit of Open-Framed Steel Structures

Open-framed structural steel industrial and petrochemical structures are susceptible to corrosion due to exposure to natural elements and chemicals within the facilities they support. Complete replacement of these structures is neither economical nor practical because it would require taking the facilities they support out of service. These facilities contain equipment, piping, electrical, and controls critical to the operation of the plant, and are normally kept online until a planned shutdown or turnaround. Certain precautions are required to repair and retrofit these structures while the facilities they support are in operation. This paper examines typical situations of corroded open-framed industrial and petrochemical structural steel structures, and provides potential solutions and recommendations for analysis, in-situ repair and retrofit of structures that are practical and economical. Retrofit and repair topics addressed include field welding, field bolting, component replacement, temporary supports, shop preassembly, repair of galvanizing, painting and other coating systems.