Corrosion effect of ferrous metals on degradation and remaining service life of infrastructure using pipe fracture as example

Abstract

Corrosion of ferrous metals and its effects on degradation of mechanical properties and the remaining service life of metal structures have been a serious challenge to research community globally. This paper aims to investigate the problem thoroughly with experimental, numerical and analytical means. It presents results produced from a comprehensive experimental program on corrosion and its effect on degradation of mechanical properties of steel and cast iron. These include corrosion effects on mechanical properties at both macro level, e.g. the fundamental strength, and micro level, e.g. element composition, thereby presenting a complete cause and effect relationship for corrosion induced degradation of ferrous metals. Numerical results include corrosion effects on fracture failure for both single and mixed mode fractures. Analytical results include new solutions to first passage probability which is the most rational method in time-dependent reliability theory employed for service life prediction of structures. An example of cast iron pipe with fracture failure is provided to illustrate the proposed methodology. Test results presented in the paper can contribute to the body of knowledge of corrosion of ferrous metals with a view to service life of corrosion affected infrastructure.