1. Examining Tower Guy Wire Anchor Rods Matthew J. Parker Atmospheric Technologies Group William R. Hinz Non-Destructive Examinations Group Westinghouse Savannah River Company Aiken, South Carolina

2. Outline Problem Corrosion Options for Examinations SoundAnchor(TM) Long-term protection Standards

3. Potential Problem? Anchor rod failure can lead to tower collapse!

7. How can this happen? CORROSION: Galvanic or Electrolytic

8. Corrosion--Nature’s Way of Creating Balance

9. The Galvanic Series

10. Anchor Rod / Block

12. Anchor Rod Corrosion Scenarios n Connections between unlike metals n Unlike soils--strata or backfill n Soil corrosivity--metals or concrete n Nearby underground electricity (electrolytic corrosion)

13. Where can this happen? (unofficial survey-NUMUG, industry, consultant, Internet)

14. Excavations--Should I Dig? Common Industry Practice n Negative Factors –Labor intensive –Inherently damaging –Inadequate visual examination –Safety compromised during fill removal –Trenching regulations –Difficult to repeat

15. SoundAnchor(TM) A Nondestructive Examination Technique Patent 6,311,565 received Nov 6, 2001 Advantages After minor initial surface preparation, After minor initial surface preparation, test is conducted quickly Non-damaging Non-damaging More thorough examination More thorough examination Inherently safe Inherently safe Easily repeatable Easily repeatable Trending possible Trending possible One-tenth of the cost of excavations One-tenth of the cost of excavations

19. Protection--How do I save what I already have? n Options for Protection –Protective coatings n Bituminous (carcinogenic) n Galvanized n Polymers –Cathodic Protection –Encase new rods in concrete

20. Where can I find more information? n TIA/EIA Standard “Structural Standards for Steel Antenna Towers and Antenna Supporting Structures” n Reputable tower erection companies