Design-based solution
THE mining industry places structures in some of the harshest conditions in Australia. Underground mining and surface process plant infrastructures are subjected to a broad range of conditions including low and high temperature, vibration, humidity, corrosion from acids and slurries including exposure to many aggressive chemicals and direct heavy impact from normal operating activities. While construction of steelwork to the appropriate standard gives assurance that it is fit for purpose when it is newly constructed and installed, the aggressive nature of the operating environments and the variability of the conditions on mine sites will most certainly guarantee that degradation and deviation from design strength will take place over the operating life. The humble guardrail is a safety-critical part of this…