Frequent Inspection Research Articles

Analysis of the traffic accidents characteristics in the Kraljevo region in 2013

Introduction: It is estimated that 1,308people, in the whole world, die in road accidents every day. Factors of road, vehicle and, first of all, human factor, alone or together with other factors occur in over 90% of case histories. Every year 688people die in traffic accidents in Serbia (9,5/100,000), and the 18525 (258, 5/100 000) are injured. Research goals Main goal: To analyse the traffic accidents characteristics in the Kraljevo region in 2013. Secondary goal: To determine the number of deaths in traffic trauma on the roads of the region of Kraljevo To determine the prevalence of isolated, multiple and associated injuries To determine the number of injured by the anatomical site and emergency levels of injuries To analyse mechanisms and site of accidents Methods: The paper presents the epidemiological characteristics of traffic accidents on the territory of Kraljevo. In the retrospective analysis 529 persons were injured in the period 01. 01. 2013. -31. 12. 2013. As a data source we used trauma protocol of Emergency medicine service, Kraljevo. Methods of descriptive statistics analysis were used and the results are presented in tables and graphs. Results: We registered 529 traffic accidents with 9 ( 1, 7%) dead and 520 injured (98, 3%) people, during the observed period. There were 468 slightly injured (88, 5%), and 52 seriously injured (9, 8%) people. Most often injured were cyclists - 144 (27, 7%), than pedestrians - 104 (20%), motorcyclists - 86 (16, 5%), motor vehicle drivers - 76 (14, 6%), tractor drivers - 52 (10%), while there were 58 injured passengers in the motor vehicles (11, 2%). The distribution of emergency levels: level 15 (0, 96%), level II 71 (13, 65%), level III 442 (85 %), levelIV2 (0, 39%). We registered 36 (6, 92%) isolated injuries, 5 associated (0, 96%), 473 combined (90, 96%), and 6 multiple (1, 15%) injuries. Conclusion: Characteristics of traffic accidents on the territory of Kraljevo are consistent with similar data published for the Republic of Serbia, which relate primarily to the high rate of traffic mortality. This unfavorable image could be changed by improving prevention, and at the level of all three key factors traffic accidents. Raising awareness among all road users about the impact of certain preventive measures and procedures to prevent traffic accidents, frequent technical inspections of older vehicles, relocation of major roads outside of settlements, maintenance of transport networks, under optimal conditions, as well as the promotion and maintenance of traffic signals are difficult, but the primary tasks of the state to reduce the victims of traffic accidents on our roads. .

A novel smart caliper foam pig for low-cost pipeline inspection – Part B: Field test and data processing

Abstract Pipe in-line inspection by “intelligent” pigs is a fundamental oil and gas industry practice but still considered as an exceptional operation. In fact, the instrumented pigs used for such purpose are expensive and delicate tools with non-negligible risks of sticking inside the pipeline, thus making their deployment rather rare. In Part A of this paper we presented a novel smart foam pig, with sensing capabilities analogous to those of a multi-channel caliper pig, but characterized by very low operating risks due to its high capability to negotiate restrictions and its very low likelihood of creating obstructions, hence encouraging more frequent pipeline inspection campaigns. The present Part B discusses the results of the pig field tests. The processing and visualization for interpretation of acquired raw data are carried out through a dedicated software. A comprehensive analysis of the data acquired on two test campaigns on an 8 km pipeline in Italy is reported and the comparison with information gathered adopting a commercial In-line Inspection (ILI) pig is discussed.

Composite Flowlines, Risers, and Pipework in Offshore Applications

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper OTC 24049, ’Strategy Concerning Composite Flowlines, Risers, and Pipework in Offshore Applications,’ by Luiz C.M. Meniconi, Walter Carrara Loureiro Jr., Fernando Costa dos Santos Jr., and Carlos Cunha Dias Henriques, Petrobras, prepared for the 2013 Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, 6–9 May. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Reproduced by permission. Composite materials can offer technologically viable and cost-effective solutions for the production of highly corrosive fluids in very deep water, although there is a need to access the key issues of durability and integrity assurance of these components. Research in this area seeks to address their safe use during the operating life of production systems. This paper gives an overview of ongoing research activities on the subject of offshore use of composite flowlines, risers, and topside piping. Introduction The operator developed a plan to deploy an instrumented composite drilling-riser joint in different positions along a drilling riser operating at a given platform. The idea was to submit the composite joint to different load levels— dependent on the position of the joint alongside the riser—and by doing so address its structural behavior in a real operational environment. In the meantime, the operator also followed the development of composite wires for tensile armors of flexible unbonded risers, research newly spurred by the presalt scenario with its deeper waters and very corrosive fluids. At the same time, the idea of using thermoplastic-composite bonded pipes became a reality through the studies and efforts of companies new to the offshore pipe market. Drilling and Workover Risers The additional advantages of composite materials for these applications are the reduced buoyancy needed because of their low submerged weight and the inherently good insulation properties. For a given tensioner capacity, the rig maximum operating depth is increased. New rigs designed to use composite drilling risers will require smaller tensioners. Besides, a drilling riser is retrieved every time a well is completed, allowing for frequent inspections of the structural integrity of the riser. Production risers are even more demanding because they are supposed to be installed and left in place for 20 years or more. In 2001, a 21-in.-diameter riser joint was intended to be deployed in 700-m waters offshore Brazil by a drilling platform. The 25-ft-long joint was to be monitored with strain gauges in order to measure the loading imposed on it at different positions along the riser, with at least one gauge located near the center and another close to the top. The bending moments and top-tension histories were to be compared with the design-limit values. Laminate strengths were stress levels above which 90% of a test population fails within a 95% confidence level. These strengths were further reduced by 25% from autoclave-cured properties to account for the filament-winding process. The resulting values were finally reduced by 50% to consider hot/wet scenarios. There was a total strength reduction of 68% in relation to the properties measured soon after cure. The failure criteria were maximum fiber tensile and compressive stresses, considering a safety factor of 2.0. The design basis of the joint was 1.5 million lbf of axial force and 3,000-psi internal pressure. (For a discussion of other efforts involving composite risers, please see the complete paper.)

Lessons from a case of successful eradication of citrus canker in a citrus-producing farm in São Paulo state, Brazil.

Asiatic citrus canker (ACC), caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, is one of the most serious diseases affecting citrus worldwide. In areas under quarantine/eradication, such as Sao Paulo state (SPS), Brazil, the impact of ACC is related to the production costs for inspections and tree removal. Several protocols for eradication were adopted in SPS since the first detection of ACC in 1957. Among these, the one carried out from 1999 to 2009 was the most effective for maintaining the disease at a very low level throughout the state. That protocol mandated periodic inspections and removal of symptomatic and asymptomatic trees based on disease incidence in the block. After 2009 the eradication protocols were less stringent and ACC incidence continued to increase. This study aimed at identifying the key factors for the successful eradication of ACC in a farm located in SPS. Data on the outbreaks from 2006 to 2010 were collected and the related control measures adopted. The farm remained under quarantine from July 2006 to March 2010. Twelve disease foci were detected from July 2006 to January 2008 and incidence of symptomatic tress ranged from 0.05% and 0.43%. The successful eradication of ACC in this farm is attributed to the relatively low number of diseased trees in all foci detected in the course of frequent and well-executed inspections. The results of this case study may be used to guide containment protocols in other citrus production areas of Brazil or countries where ACC is either absent or has a low incidence.

Study on Gravel Pack Completion Sand Control Technology in Horizontal Well

Screen completion is usually adopted in horizontal wells of heavy oil sandstone reservoir, however, frequent pump inspection even long term shut-off caused by thin sand production of some wells bring serious impact on production. For this reason, the gravel pack completion sand control technology in horizontal well is created on the problem of thin sand prevention and control in horizontal well through study on influence factors and treatment of gravel pack in horizontal well, stimulating test of sand packing process and study on gravel pack string in horizontal well. The technical problem of thin sand prevention and control in horizontal well has been solved with the successful application of the technology in field tests.

A Case Study on Pit Failure Risk of Deep Diaphragm Wall

Temporary bracing is often viewed as an unnecessary step in the process of constructing a structural facility. Unfortunately, many times this often-neglected step becomes the subject of avoidable litigation and lawsuits. This paper presents a remedy case of a deep foundation pit during the construction of the bracing system located at the business center in HePing district, TianJin. Through frequent inspection and suitable countermeasures, the potential disaster was mitigated in time. There were some lessons learned from this case history.

Optimal maintenance level for second‐hand product with periodic inspection schedule

This paper formulates a periodic inspection/upgrade model under free non‐renewable warranty policy with a fixed length of warranty period for the second‐hand product and derives an optimal number of inspections required and an optimal improvement level to minimize the expected total warranty cost from the perspective of the dealer during the warranty period. At each inspection, the product is taken an upgrade action in order to reduce its failure rate, which is characterized by an improvement level. It is true in general that the higher improvement level and more frequent inspections increase the warranty cost but lower the chance of product failures. In this paper, we propose an optimal strategy with respect to the inspection/upgrade action for the dealer to lower the total warranty cost. Firstly, we define an inspection/upgrade action, which reduces the product's failure rate proportionally to the improvement level at each inspection and then evaluate the expected total warranty cost. Secondly, the optimal solutions for the decision variables and its uniqueness are discussed in general. Numerical results are presented when the failure distribution follows a Weibull distribution under the proposed model. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Intestinal and Tracheal Parasites of Poultry

A parasite is defined as an animal or plant that derives sustenance and/or protection by living in or on another animal or plant called the host. Intestinal and tracheal parasites of poultry are commonly referred to as “worms,” although this term is technically not correct. These parasites can cause chickens in a flock to appear unthrifty, which often leads to secondary complications. In some cases, the parasites can cause mortality in the flock. Frequent inspection of the flock for signs of illness is the best management tool for identifying when these parasites are a problem. This revised 3-page fact sheet was written by Gary D. Butcher and Michael A. Davis, and published by the UF Department of Animal Sciences, February 2014.
 PS-6/AA078: Intestinal and Tracheal Parasites of Poultry (ufl.edu)

진단용 방사선 발생장치의 수시 정도관리 항목 및 기준에 관한 기초 연구

국내 진단용 방사선 발생장치는 3년 주기로 시행되는 정기적인 정도관리 검사에 앞서 일별, 주별, 월별, 분기 반기별로 시행하는 수시 정도 관리에 대한 항목 및 규정이 명확하게 지정되어 있지 않다. 미국과 유럽 등의 선진국에서는 정도 관리 항목에 대해 검사를 수행하는 검사자를 구분하여 국가 기관에 보고하도록 되어 있으므로 체계적인 검사 수행과 더불어 검토가 가능하다. 그러므로 의료 장비의 현대화가 이루어지는 시점에서 국외의 주기별 정도관리 시스템을 국내 진단용 방사선 발생 장치에 적합하도록 도입하여 정도관리 항목과 기준의 재정립이 반드시 필요하다. 이에 본 논문에서는 진단용 방사선 발생장치 중 가장 빈번히 사용되고 있는 일반 X선 촬영 장치의 3년 정기점검 사이에 주기적인 수시 정도 관리 검사 항목과 방법 및 기준 수립을 위해 미국, 캐나다 등의 국외 문헌 조사 및 국제 전자 기술 위원회(International Electro-technical Commission, IEC)의 규정 항목과 비교하였다. 이를 바탕으로 국내 수시 정도관리 항목 신설 시 필요한 검사 항목 및 기준 설정을 위한 기초 자료로 제시하고자 하였다. Diagnostic radiation equipment diagnosis and treatment of disease of recent plays a central role, but this is based on the assumption of an appropriate balance of benefits and risks of diagnostic. If balance is not maintained has the potential to give an adverse effect on the health of the public. In the case of an overseas, the importance of (QA) quality assurance of medical equipment is growing, but evaluation criteria of quality assurance has not been clearly presented in domestic. Therefore, the modernization of medical equipment from the point at which the degree of cycle-by-cycle management system of foreign national to be suitable for diagnostic radiation generator entry and quality control standards by introducing a tailoring is necessary. In this study the most frequently used diagnostic radiation generator X-ray imaging apparatus of the general three-year periodic inspections at any time between the periodic inspection items and quality control methods and standards for the establishment of the United States, Canada and abroad, and international electronic literature search Technical Committee (International Electro-technical Commission, IEC) were compared with the provisions of item. Based on the national quality control items when opening frequent inspection items and standards presented as a basis for setting up study.

Risk‐Based Management of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus in Minnesota

AbstractViral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV; strain VHSV‐IVb) is an emergent and serious disease of fish in the Great Lakes region of North America. In addition to the numerous large‐scale mortality events in wild fish, the emergence of VHSV has resulted in a major regulatory response to protect both farm‐raised and wild fish populations. However, characterizing and mitigating risk factors for the continued transmission of VHSV is a difficult task. A semiquantitative risk assessment model was used to focus VHSV management efforts in Minnesota. The risk of VHSV introduction into major watersheds in Minnesota was directly correlated to their proximity to Lake Superior, the only VHSV‐positive body of water in the state. Although the current regulations are uniform across Minnesota, the risk varied for specific locations within the watersheds. For example, the introduction of game fish for stock enhancement (a common fisheries management practice) is a significant factor in determining the risk of VHSV introduction into public waters, as is the movement of baitfish. In this analysis, aquaculture facilities with strict biosecurity programs and frequent health inspections received the lowest risk scores and were largely considered as protective or at low risk for VHSV introduction. These results suggest that the current management strategy, based on political boundaries, should be reevaluated. We recommend the creation of a risk‐based management strategy based upon the identification of higher‐risk watersheds and specific bodies of water, thus allowing managers to efficiently target surveillance and response activities in Minnesota.Received July 22, 2013; accepted November 27, 2013

A simple and novel helical drive in-pipe robot

SUMMARYPipeline grids of various size and material are pervasive in today's modern society. The frequent inspection and maintenance of such pipeline grids have presented a tremendous challenge. It is advocated that only advanced robot design embedded with intelligent electronics and control algorithms could perform the job. Given the ever increasing demands for intelligent in-pipe robots, various in-pipe drive mechanisms have been reported. One of the simplest is helical wheel drives that have only one degree of freedom. All previously reported in-pipe helical drives are based on independent passive wheels that are tilted an angle. One of the major problems of current helical wheel drives is their unstable traction force. In this paper, instead of allowing the wheels to rotate independently, they are synchronized by adding a timing belt. This small change will result in significant improvement which will be highlighted in this paper. In the proposed driving method, tracking force is analyzed together with a comprehensive set of traction force measurement experiments. Both analysis and experiments have shown that the proposed mechanism has great potential for in-pipe robot drive design.

Basic characteristics of a novel in-pipe helical drive robot

In recent years, long-distance pipeline grids are widely used in transporting the exploited and processed water, oil and gas resources. In order to deal with the frequent inspection and maintenance in pipelines, a new concept of novel in-pipe helical drive robot is proposed to adapt a diversity of pipe size and materials. And then, we design two prototypes, one with independent passive wheels and another with pulleys synchronised by a timing belt. The obstacle negotiating capability and the tractive force of two kinds of helical drive in-pipe robot has been analysed as well. We carry out the experiments of overcoming an obstacle and measuring the tractive force in a transparent plexiglass pipe. The experimental results showed that the obstacle negotiating capability of the belt type robot is better than the wheel type robot. Furthermore, the belt robot can get more stable performance and bigger tractive force than the wheel robot, which will play an important role in pipelines’ inspection field.

Collecting Decision Support System Data through Remote Sensing of Unpaved Roads

Unpaved roads make up roughly 33% of the road system within the United States and are vitally important to rural communities for transport of people and goods. Effective asset management of unpaved roads requires frequent inspections to determine the roads’ condition and the appropriate preventive maintenance or rehabilitation. The major challenge with managing unpaved roads is low-cost collection of condition data that are compatible with a decision support system (DSS). The advent of cheap, reliable remote-sensing platforms such as unmanned aerial vehicles along with the development of commercial off-the-shelf image analysis algorithms provides a revolutionary opportunity to overcome these data volume and efficiency issues. By taking advantage of these technological leaps, a market-ready system to detect unpaved road distress data compatible with a DSS was developed. The system uses aerial imagery that can be collected from a remote-controlled helicopter or manned fixed-wing aircraft to create a three-dimensional model of sensed road segments. Condition information on potholes, ruts, washboarding, loss of crown, and float aggregate berms is then detected and characterized to determine the extent and severity of the distress. Once detection and analysis are complete, the data are imported into a DSS based on a geographic information system (Road-soft) for use by road managers to prioritize preventive maintenance and rehabilitation efforts.

NDT Documentation and Evaluation of the Roman Bridge of Lugo Using GPR and Mobile and Static LiDAR

AbstractThe Roman Bridge of Lugo (Spain) has undergone many restorations throughout the last millennium. It currently supports heavy and constant pressures resulting from traffic loading. Therefore, frequent inspections are required. Within this article, different nondestructive testing (NDT) technologies were combined for the inspection and as-built three-dimensional (3D) documentation of this masonry arch bridge. Both mobile and static light detection and ranging (LiDAR) devices, integrated with digital cameras, were considered to analyze the exterior of the bridge whereas the ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment was used to characterize its internal stonework. A 3D textured bridge model is given, which is combined with inner details from GPR. Its analysis could certainly benefit masonry arch bridge inspection.

Contributing Factors to Disease Outbreaks Associated with Untreated Groundwater

Disease outbreaks associated with drinking water drawn from untreated groundwater sources represent a substantial proportion (30.3%) of the 818 drinking water outbreaks reported to CDC's Waterborne Disease and Outbreak Surveillance System (WBDOSS) during 1971 to 2008. The objectives of this study were to identify underlying contributing factors, suggest improvements for data collection during outbreaks, and inform outbreak prevention efforts. Two researchers independently reviewed all qualifying outbreak reports (1971 to 2008), assigned contributing factors and abstracted additional information (e.g., cases, etiology, and water system attributes). The 248 outbreaks resulted in at least 23,478 cases of illness, 390 hospitalizations, and 13 deaths. The majority of outbreaks had an unidentified etiology (n = 135, 54.4%). When identified, the primary etiologies were hepatitis A virus (n = 21, 8.5%), Shigella spp. (n = 20, 8.1%), and Giardia intestinalis (n = 14, 5.7%). Among the 172 (69.4%) outbreaks with contributing factor data available, the leading contamination sources included human sewage (n = 57, 33.1%), animal contamination (n = 16, 9.3%), and contamination entering via the distribution system (n = 12, 7.0%). Groundwater contamination was most often facilitated by improper design, maintenance or location of the water source or nearby waste water disposal system (i.e., septic tank; n = 116, 67.4%). Other contributing factors included rapid pathogen transport through hydrogeologic formations (e.g., karst limestone; n = 45, 26.2%) and preceding heavy rainfall or flooding (n = 36, 20.9%). This analysis underscores the importance of identifying untreated groundwater system vulnerabilities through frequent inspection and routine maintenance, as recommended by protective regulations such as Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Groundwater Rule, and the need for special consideration of the local hydrogeology.

Some philosophical issues in modeling corrosion of oil and gas pipelines

For the efficient design, installation, operation and maintenance of a plant, a reliable and robust mathematical model for predicting corrosion in pipelines can be a valuable asset. Such a model can help a plant supervisor to cut down on the expenditure arising from frequent inspections and unnecessary maintenance shutdowns and to take preventive maintenance action before an accident actually takes place. This paper discusses some of the philosophical issues related to the development of such a model. It also brings to the fore the limitations and value of such a model.

Perception of smoke-free policies among workers in an Italian Local Health Agency: survey of opinions, knowledge and behaviours.

This study evaluated the opinions and knowledge of the Health-Care-Workers and other employees about smoking in the workplace and investigated their perceptions about the implementation and strengthening of smoke-free policies and their views of proposed smoking cessation course. This cross-sectional study analyzed data resulting from a questionnaire administered in the Local Health Agency of Rieti (Italy). Comparisons have been made according to smoking status of participants: Ever Smokers (ES) or Never Smokers (NS). The study was conducted on a sample of 300 workers, the majority of whom think that the smoking ban is not observed in the workplace due to lack of respect for colleagues (59.2% of NS vs 40% of ES, p=0.022). Exposure to Secondhand smoke (SHS) is reported by 15.2% of ES and 30.3% of NS (p=0.006). About 50% of the participants think that the smoking ban has led to an improvement in the quality of interpersonal relationships. Strengthening the smoking ban through frequent inspections would be very effective according to 78% of ES and 88% of NS (p=0.043); having smoking cessation courses within the agency would be considered useful by 56% of ES and 68% of NS (p= 0.064). Relatively few respondents knew of the association between smoking and bladder cancer (35.2% of ES and 47.2% of NS, p=0.061), and asthma exacerbation (66% of ES and 77% of NS, p=0.040). Logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, work categories and smoking status show that ES report that they are less likely to be exposed to SHS (OR= 0.42, 95% CI 0.22-0.78, p=0.006) and to think that people smoke because of lack of respect (OR= 0.46, 95% CI 0.24-0.87, p=0.018). More frequent inspections (OR= 0.50, 95% CI 0.26-0.95, p=0.037) and smoking cessation courses (OR= 0.61, 95% CI 0.37-1.00, p=0.053) are considered less effective by ES. ES are less likely to know that smoking is a cause of bladder cancer (OR= 0.54, 95% CI 0.32-0.90, p=0.019) and asthma exacerbation (OR= 0.53, 95% CI 0.31-0.92, p=0.023). Fifty-seven percent of current smokers would like to quit, but only 41% would join a cessation course in the agency. The results obtained may be used to analyze the effectiveness of tobacco control policy and programs aimed at freeing companies from smoke. Policy makers should provide the best possible protection for workers against exposure to SHS, in particular with enforcement of the smoking ban and smoking cessation courses tailored to maximize potential benefits for both workers and employers.

12 Years of Structural Health Assessment and Maintenance for the Glulam Timber Structure of the Mormanno Traffic Bridge in Calabria

The Mormanno traffic Bridge, built at the end of the year 2000 in South Italy, with its glulam exposed structure spanning around 70 m, is one of the most impressive traffic timber bridges in the world. The paper illustrates the various analysis executed for the assessment of the health of the structure and for the following maintenance actions during the first twelve years of service of the Bridge (2001-2013). In the year 2004 a first visit for the assessment of the health of the timber bridge was decided. A team of experts inspected the bridge in order to check the conditions of the timber structures and register all the damages produced by weathering, fungi and insects on the structural elements. The experts found the decay still limited but recommended a maintenance action capable to stop the initial degenerative process mainly due to a moisture content higher than normal. In the year 2008 [ a new inspection team visited the bridge for the second time in order to check the effectiveness of the measures of protection adopted four years before. Non-destructive testing were used to investigate the health of the main glulam arches. The decay in the members object of the previous maintenance in general had stopped or slowed down, but in some other parts the moisture content was still higher than acceptable and more protections were added. In the following years the maintenance was completed giving the bridge the possibility to extend its service with a sufficient level of safety. The frequent inspections of the bridge structure provided useful information for the maintenance of the Mormanno bridge but also in general for the design of the durability and for the maintenance planning of exposed timber structures. Fig. 1 the Mormanno Bridge in service

Optimized inchworm motion planning for a novel in-pipe robot

Modern society is fueled by very comprehensive grids of gas and liquid supply pipelines. The frequent inspection and maintenance of such pipeline grids is not a trivial task. It has been demonstrated that such task is best performed by using in-pipe robots. In this paper, a novel inchworm robot design and its optimized motion planning are presented. The proposed design uses a helical drive for both gripping and locomotion of the robot. The extension and retraction between inchworm segments are facilitated by conic springs as they can store strain energy. The proposed inchworm robot can also be made very compact without sacrificing stroke length as conic springs can be easily designed with telescopic feature. To generate inchworm motion, a sinusoidal velocity pattern is planned for each segment. The frequency of the velocity pattern is optimized using a genetic algorithm (GA). The optimization result from the GA method has been validated using a traditional gradient based method.

Frequency of symptomatic trees removal in small citrus blocks on citrus huanglongbing epidemics

Among the recommended measures for citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) management, the systematic elimination of symptomatic trees is the most argued and difficult to be accepted and accomplished by citrus growers. Elimination of recently affected HLB trees represents a short term yield loss and cost increase due to the need of frequent inspections and removal operations. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of different frequencies of inoculum reduction applied at individual citrus blocks scale (or local inoculum reduction) on HLB temporal progress. Eight experiments were carried out in new planted and older citrus blocks with 504–1290 trees/plot. In all experiments, inspections to detect symptomatic trees were done in a fortnightly or monthly frequency. The treatments of frequencies of local inoculum reduction varied from fortnightly to 6 months. Annual disease progress rate was estimated by logistic model for each plot. No difference on HLB progress rates among treatments was observed, except in experiments 1 and 3 where less frequent tree removal resulted in higher disease progress rate. This ineffectiveness of local inoculum reduction on the disease progress rate was explained by the higher weight of primary spread on HLB epidemics than the secondary spread within plots associated with small size and narrow shape of treated plots (except for experiments 1 and 3), high dispersal capacity of HLB-insect vector among plots and groves, and strong control of psyllid within the plots (except for experiment 1, with poor insecticide spray program). Also, the high amount of inspections to detect symptomatic trees before the eradication treatment, which reduced the escapes (asymptomatic and non visual detectable diseased trees) contributed for these results. It is important to note that these results were obtained with only small citrus plots (0.8–2.9 ha) and they cannot be extended to larger groves and farms amenable to HLB management by the symptomatic tree removal and vector control.