Trans-Layer Structural Analysis
The latest imaging technology for internal structural inspection of insulated fiberglass aerial manlifts and digger derricks.
Trans-layer Structural Analysis (TSA) is the latest technology designed for the inspection of vehicle-mounted insulated aerial manlifts. TSA is an inspection method that can view the internal structure of a fiberglass boom using imaging technology that allows for easy visualization of internal flaws.
What TSA Detects
TSA scans reveal a detailed gray-scale or colorized image of the boom’s internal structure, clearly showing:
- Gel-coat cracks — visible as dark lines on the scan
- Debonding — shown as red areas in colorized scans, indicating separation at the attachment matrix between fiberglass and steel components
- Moisture intrusion — shown as blue areas; moisture that infiltrates fiber bundles can freeze, expand, and progressively damage the resin matrix and reduce overall structural strength
- High resin content areas — shown as purple in colorized scans, identifying excessive bonding epoxy or similar anomalies
- Structural cracks — highly visible as large white areas in the scan
Advantages Over Other Methods
- No load stress required — unlike acoustic emission, TSA does not require a load to be applied to the fiberglass boom during inspection
- Visual hard copy — TSA provides an actual image of the structure, while acoustic emission produces only data charts and tables
- No radiation hazards — TSA allows viewing of actual defects within the boom as radiography does, without the associated radiation risks to personnel
- Moisture detection — TSA can detect moisture content within the boom, which acoustic emission and radiography cannot
Permanent Record
TSA provides a permanent record of the boom’s condition at the time of inspection. This documentation can serve as proof positive of structural integrity — valuable protection against unnecessary litigation should an incident occur at a later date.