Assessment, reinstatement and monitoring of the structural integrity of public lightning poles

The most important problems related to the metals poles are principally linked to the problems that are noticed in the joint area that is the trickiest area of the structure. This is mainly due to corrosion phenomena resulting from: inefficient membranes, which allow the infiltration of aggressive fluids, bad application by maintenance technician and the poor quality of the using materials.

For this reason, Gecop Ldt ,with the cooperation of Global Engineering S.r.l. and Metalnastri S.r.l. have created a joint venture to develop a complete procedure named SMART CARE LIGHT POLES - SCLP (trademark Glomet).

This special system works with complex and flexible algorithms able to assess in real time the structural safety of every kind of lamppost from its parameters (geometry, materials) and environmental data (marine, urban etc.), foreseeing the remaining lifetime of each tested pole.

The SCLP system is integrated with the use of a state of art anticorrosion protection designed by Metalnastri, the so-called “Doubleshield”.

The Metalnastri DoubleShield is a new product that is a compound between two different layers of material: a sacrificial anode as inner layer, that is a coupling between an electro-conductive adhesive laminar zinc tape of high pureness (>99, 95%) and a self-adhesive membrane made from a polymer-modified bitumen that performs as external sealing, working as a barrier for physical and chemical protection. The result is a unique and effective product that provides active protection to the metal surface that has to be covered with, and a physical-chemical passive protection.

In particular, an active protection is provided by the sacrificial action of the high purity laminated zinc by its electro-conductive adhesive, which ensures positive electric connections between the metal substrate and the zinc so that it can act as a sacrificial galvanic anode.

The top coat bonded to the zinc foil gives a passive protection, this is composed of a membrane made from a polymer-modified bitumen, which bonds in an excellent way to the zinc, sealing and protecting it against any external attack and any mechanical damages.

In addition, a chemical protection is given by the special composition of the outer coat, which provides a resistance to all the aggressive substances that naturally occur in soils.

In particular, an active protection is provided by the sacrificial action of the high purity laminated zinc (>99.95%) by its electro-conductive adhesive which ensures a positive electric connections between the metal substrate and the zinc so that it can act as a sacrificial galvanic anode.

The top coat bonded to the zinc foil gives a passive protection, this is composed of a membrane made from a polymer-modified bitumen, which bonds in an excellent way to the zinc, sealing and protecting it against any external attack and any mechanical damages.

In addition, a chemical protection that is given by the special composition of the outer coat, which provides a resistance to all the aggressive substances that naturally, occur in soils.

Metalnastri DoubleShield is a free solvent and environmentally friendly product. It is designed to protect permanently underground structures, providing protection for the life span of the same and virtually avoiding any future maintenance.

The acquisition of the structure'' safety data, combined with the special anticorrosive protection, is realized with the issue of a specific certificate of the taking on responsibility, with the signature of a qualified engineer, limiting in this way the responsibility of the managing authority.