Comparing Near Field Testing Technologies for PCCP Mains

Condition assessment of prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) mains often deploys “electromagnetic testing” to identify the location and quantity of broken prestressing wire wraps in a pipeline. Until recently, the use of near field electromagnetic nondestructive testing was only offered by a single company, due to patent protection. However, as patents associated with this technology began expiring, the ability to provide this service has been offered by multiple firms. Recent industry advancements have resulted in new technology firms providing near field testing (NFT) of PCCP to report the location and quantity of broken prestressing wire wraps. This offers multiple benefits to the water community including increased innovation and the potential to reduce condition assessment costs. This paper evaluates and compares the results of NFT technologies utilized by two technology companies, one firm with significant experience and a second firm with a recently developed tool.