What is iCAMM™? The Technology Behind Faster, Safer Structural Investigations

When engineers assess the condition of ageing or complex infrastructure, corrosion is often the biggest unknown. Hidden within reinforced concrete, piles, or steel structures, corrosion can quietly compromise integrity long before it’s visible. Traditional testing methods, like half-cell mapping or intrusive sampling, can help identify risk, but they’re slow, disruptive, and often only tell part of the story.

That’s where iCAMM™ comes in. Short for ‘Infrastructure Condition Assessment Magnetic Method’, iCAMM™ is a revolutionary technology that delivers fast, non-intrusive, and quantitative insights into corrosion and structural health. TRACE are the exclusive UK and Ireland providers of this system, developed by InspecTerra Inc., and have refined its workflows to transform how engineers understand the condition of their assets.

How iCAMM™ Works

At its core, iCAMM™ measures variations in magnetic fields to detect corrosion, stress distribution, and section loss in ferromagnetic materials such as reinforcement, piles, beams, and pipelines. It’s completely non-destructive, meaning there’s no need to expose or drill into the structure. Instead, a handheld sensor array scans across the surface, detecting subtle magnetic changes that reveal: 

• Corrosion level and distribution

• Stress and defect patterns

• Quantitative section loss

  
  

Because iCAMM™ doesn’t require direct access to the steel, engineers can assess large areas, even curved or coated surfaces, quickly and safely, without interrupting operations or damaging finishes.

Why It Matters

Traditional corrosion mapping techniques, such as half-cell potential or visual inspection, have long been industry staples but they come with significant drawbacks. They’re qualitative, not quantitative, often requiring surface preparation or drilling, and can only test at single points rather than across continuous areas.

By contrast, iCAMM™ provides data-based, quantitative evidence of corrosion and section loss across entire elements. That means engineers can measure deterioration, not just infer it, gaining the clarity needed for confident decisions and targeted maintenance. As a result:

• Investigations are faster and safer

• Disruption is minimised

• Maintenance strategies become proactive, not reactive

This makes iCAMM™ particularly valuable in live, high-risk environments such as bridges, tunnels, car parks, rail assets, and marine structures, where downtime, access, and safety are critical considerations.

The Power of Integration: iCAMM™ + GPR

At TRACE, iCAMM™ rarely works alone. It’s part of an integrated non-intrusive analysis (NIA) workflow that combines iCAMM™ with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for a complete picture of structural health. 

• GPR reveals construction details, reinforcement layouts, delamination, voids, and concrete condition.

• iCAMM™ then quantifies the actual corrosion and section loss within those reinforcement bars.

  
  

Together, these technologies deliver high-resolution, interpretable insights that go far beyond the limits of traditional surveys, helping engineers understand both what’s happening inside a structure and why.

From Reactive to Predictive Engineering

The combination of iCAMM™ and GPR marks a major step forward for the industry. Instead of relying on intrusive testing or sampling, engineers can now quantify deterioration early, plan interventions with precision, and extend asset lifespan through informed, evidence-based decisions.

For asset owners and contractors, the benefits are clear:

• Reduced investigation time and cost

• Fewer intrusive works and disruptions

• Improved safety and sustainability

• Clear, defensible reports that support confident decision-making

As Andy Kitson, TRACE’s Co-Director and Principal Consultant, explains:

“The iCAMM™ gives our clients solid, data-based evidence of corrosion levels and section loss, removing the ambiguity that comes with visual inspections or traditional half-cell testing. We can now scan extensive areas quickly and deliver actionable insights that truly de-risk our clients’ projects.”

Innovation in Action

TRACE has already deployed iCAMM™ usage across a range of assets from post-tensioned bridges and concrete portal frame structures to RAAC panels and marine infrastructure. These projects have demonstrated the system’s unique ability to detect corrosion through surface finishes, operate in any environmental condition, and provide repeatable, quantitative data engineers can trust.

The Future of Non-Intrusive Investigation

As the industry shifts toward sustainability, iCAMM™ represents the future of condition assessment: less waste, less risk, and more precision. By enabling targeted repair rather than blanket refurbishment, it supports both cost-efficiency and environmental responsibility, a key focus for modern infrastructure management.

At TRACE, we’re proud to lead that change. Through innovation, expertise, and collaboration, we’re redefining how engineers assess and protect the built environment, delivering faster, safer, and smarter investigations powered by iCAMM™.