AMPP Bridge Coatings case studies
AMPP Bridge Coatings · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The AMPP Bridge Coatings Inspector credential - commonly shortened to BCI - is a professional certification for the people who verify protective coating work on steel bridges. AMPP describes itself as the largest global community for corrosion and coatings expertise, and its education catalog places coating inspection programs alongside cathodic protection, protective coatings, and corrosion prevention courses. The AMPP Bridge Coatings case studies are 5 cases and about 2,586 words.
1Wet Blasting, Chlorides, and a Marginal Dew Point on a Coastal Viaduct
A coastal viaduct's bottom flanges are being reblasted to SSPC-SP 10 (Near-White) with a 2.5–3.5 mil anchor profile; the specification also caps soluble chloride at 3 µg/cm². The existing system is a zinc-rich primer under epoxy and urethane, with rust bleeding at drain outlets and heavy pitting on the bottom flange.
573 words, about 3 min2Low-Build Inorganic Zinc and a Questionable Field Repair
A fabricator applied a specified inorganic zinc primer at 3–5 mil DFT to new steel. Nine months later, field inspection finds measured DFT of 2.0–2.6 mil over most of the fascia, white corrosion product on the top flanges, and mud-cracked areas near stiffener welds.
539 words, about 3 min3Winter Epoxy Application with Propane Heaters and an Expired Recoat Window
An epoxy intermediate coat is scheduled for a steel girder on a winter day. Substrate temperature is 4°C, ambient 7°C, RH 72%, dew point 1°C.
501 words, about 3 min4DFT Outlier and a Below-Spec Pull-Off Test on a Bridge Repaint
On a bridge repaint, the specification requires a 6–9 mil DFT epoxy midcoat, measured per SSPC-PA 2, and 500 psi minimum pull-off adhesion per ASTM D4541. The inspector takes five spot measurements in a 100 m² area: 8.4, 8.0, 7.6, 8.1, and 4.5 mil.
487 words, about 2 min5Lead Paint Removal: Air Monitoring, a Rising Blood Lead Level, and Missing Records
A 1968 truss bridge is being dry-blasted inside a fully enclosed containment. The paint contains 6.2% lead by weight.
486 words, about 2 min