Experimental ultimate strength assessment of stiffened plates subjected to marine immersed corrosion

Abstract

This study experimentally analyses the impact of marine immersed corrosion degradation on the compressive strength of the stiffened plates where the lower degradation levels were considered. The corrosion degradation test was accelerated by controlling the natural corrosion environmental factors, avoiding applying an electric current. Different groups of corrosion degradation levels and initial plate thicknesses were investigated. The specimens were subjected to a compressive load via a universal testing machine. The estimated force-displacement relationships and lateral displacements as a function of the degree of degradation were analysed. Several analyses and discussions showed that considering only the mean value of the corrosion thickness loss, it is insufficient to evaluate the stiffened plates' ultimate strength correctly, and the type of corrosion degradation needs to be accounted for appropriately.