Redefining Structural Intelligence, TRACE-SI launches iCAMM™ technology in the UK. A revolutionary approach to assessing corrosion, iCAMM™ provides fast, non-intrusive, and quantitative corrosion information for rail infrastructure
Trace Structural Investigations (TRACE-SI), a leading structural investigation consultancy, working with the revolutionary developer InspecTerra Inc., has launched the iCAMM™ in the UK and Ireland. The patented iCAMM™, short for ‘Infrastructure Condition Assessment Magnetic Method’, is a fast, safe, and sustainable technique to detect corrosion, stress distribution, structural degradation and defects in ferromagnetic materials like steel reinforcement, beams, piles, and pipes.
iCAMM™ produces high-resolution outputs to accurately assess quantitative levels of corrosion, allowing asset owners to maintain the safety and integrity of critical infrastructure, reduce maintenance costs through proactive maintenance strategies and extend the life of their assets. The iCAMM™ method operates by analysing variations in the magnetic field caused by corrosion and material variation.
Unlike traditional techniques, it does not require direct access to the steel, allowing for full-area assessments without the need for invasive inspections. The system uses an array of highly sensitive sensors to detect changes in passive magnetic properties of reinforcement and other ferrous objects. This results in a quantifiable, non-intrusive, and scalable method that delivers actionable insights into the health of infrastructure.
Over the past year, TRACE-SI have tested the iCAMM™, confirming its abilities, and refined its workflows to significantly improve the assessment of concrete condition and the accurate mapping of reinforcement corrosion. By optimising data collection, processing, and interpretation, TRACE-SI have developed a streamlined methodology that enhances efficiency without compromising accuracy. This approach integrates iCAMM™ and GPR technology.
With the iCAMM™ providing details on the corrosion level of steel the GPR is deployed to determine corrosion risk, delamination, cover and the structural details of the concrete. This approach allows for the detection and assessment of deterioration with greater precision, even in complex structures. The result is a fully non-intrusive, high-resolution solution that delivers actionable insights quickly, reducing the need for invasive investigations while ensuring cost-effective, value-engineered outcomes.
iCAMM™, and GPR, technology is particularly valuable in the rail sector, where concrete and steel infrastructure play a crucial role in safety and performance. These methods are ideal for assessing rail bridges, tunnels, sleepers, station infrastructure, retaining walls and piles, and culverts. The ability to conduct non-intrusive, high-resolution scans ensures that critical rail assets remain operational and safe without requiring lengthy closures or extensive intrusive inspections. By detecting early-stage corrosion and concrete degradation, iCAMM™ and GPR help railway operators make informed maintenance decisions, extending the life of key infrastructure and reducing long-term repair costs.
For example, when assessing a post-tensioned railway bridge, iCAMM™ can detect section loss in reinforcement and the PTs, while GPR identifies corrosion risk, delamination, voids, and construction details. These insights allow engineers to understand the current level of degradation, identify areas requiring intervention, and set up a monitoring programme to track changes over time. This ongoing assessment ensures that small-scale corrosion issues are addressed before they lead to costly structural failures, making iCAMM™ and GPR a key part of rail asset management strategies.
Andy Kitson, Principal Consultant and Co-Founder of TRACE-SI comments: ‘The iCAMM™ represents a significant advancement for corrosion mapping. It offers a fully non-intrusive quantitative corrosion assessment supporting structural health monitoring. Using this method we can deliver solid data-based evidence of the level of section-loss of the bars allowing our clients to make decisions with confidence; removing the ambiguity involved with visual inspections or traditional half-cell.
‘We can scan extensive areas quickly with continuous data collection, mapping the corrosion of each bar or producing full-area maps, instead of individual points. The iCAMM™ can easily tackle curved or cylindrical surfaces even if they have complex geometries or are below surfaces finishes where other systems may struggle.
‘The technology is versatile and can operate in any environmental conditions, regardless of the impact of moisture, temperature or salt. This means we can start working onsite anytime without costly disruptions or downtime, making it ideal for challenging applications such as, offshore and onshore infrastructure and pipelines, public infrastructure, marine applications or large structures like bridges, tunnels, multistorey car parks, or high-rise buildings.
‘Unlike traditional methods of corrosion mapping that may require surface preparation and drilling for direct access, iCAMM™ is non-invasive and can precisely distinguish damage and defects in metal infrastructure beneath concrete, protective coatings, insulation, and other complex materials. This eliminates site exposure to potentially hazardous substances and time consuming, and costly drilling, making it an ideal option for owners looking for sustainable, reliable, and safer ways of working.’
Traditionally, corrosion and condition assessments have relied on half-cell potential mapping and visual inspections. These methods can be highly subjective and often require surface preparation, intrusive drilling, and long testing times. Half-cell potential mapping, while widely used, provides only a qualitative measure of corrosion risk rather than direct quantification of section loss. iCAMM™ delivers precise quantitative data on corrosion levels in all ferrous objects, mapping it continuously over entire areas rather than relying on single test points. It eliminates the need for direct electrical connections, surface preparation, or exposure of steel elements. When used together, half-cell and iCAMM™ offer a complementary assessment, combining risk evaluation with precise measurement of steel degradation.
However, at TRACE-SI, GPR is preferred, to support the iCAMM™, due to its speed, non-intrusive nature, and ability to provide greater contextual information about the condition of concrete structures. GPR enables engineers to evaluate corrosion risk, voids, delamination, and variations in concrete quality; factors that contribute to corrosion risk but are often overlooked in traditional assessments. The combination of iCAMM™ and GPR provides a more comprehensive and efficient structural assessment, reducing reliance on invasive methods while ensuring a clearer, data-driven understanding of the infrastructures condition.
Customer Steve Baldwin, Director of SOLUTION Consulting Engineers Ltd comments: ‘We have utilised the iCAMM™ system by TRACE-SI recently on a bridge and a series of precast concrete portal frames both dating from the 1960’s. Combined with GPR the system gave us clear information regarding the existing reinforcement locations and the level of corrosion therein. That coupled with some carbonation, chloride testing and local intrusive exposures provided us with an excellent quality of data to assess the condition and future lifespan of the structures. The works involved a much lower level of intrusive works and disruption for the clients, that is a great advantage in live facilities. iCAMM™ will be an important technique in all our future investigations of this type.’
Sustainability is a growing concern in the construction and engineering sectors, and iCAMM™ plays a key role in reducing waste, emissions, and unnecessary material use. By enabling targeted repairs rather than blanket refurbishments, the technology contributes to a more sustainable and cost-effective approach to asset maintenance. TRACE-SI is committed to further developing this technology, collaborating with asset owners, engineers, and researchers to refine assessment techniques and expand the practical applications of iCAMM™.
The iCAMM™, supported by GPR, is a huge step forward compared to traditional methods of condition and corrosion assessment.
iCAMM™ for corrosion mapping is available now throughout the UK and Ireland exclusively from TRACE-SI. For more information, get in touch with Andy Kitson, Principal Consultant and Co-Founder of TRACE-SI via the contact information below.
Tel: +44 (0)1483 363 169
Email: info@trace-si.com
Visit: www.trace-si.com
