Corrosion of carbon steel in filling material in an urban environment

The corrosion process of carbon steel in soil has been investigated, in particular the influence of the soil of an urban environment. A field test was carried out with test panels buried in trenches. Localized and uniform corrosion rates were evaluated after 1 and 3 years. Soil samples from points adjacent to the panels were analyzed with respect to a number of physical and chemical parameters believed to influence the corrosion process. Corrosion products were analyzed and identified. The study shows that the localized corrosion rate of soil buried constructions may be remarkably high in a filling material in comparison to other soils. The heterogeneity of the soil seems to have a greater influence on the localized corrosion rate than the chemical composition of the soil. However, the uniform corrosion rate was comparatively low in the heterogeneous filling material. Both the high alkalinity in the soil water and the groundwater, and the high total hardness of the soil water in the filling material seem to reduce the uniform corrosion rate. Corrosion rate determinations with commercial probes is also discussed. The linear polarization resistance (LPR), the electric resistance (ER) and the corrosion potential measurement techniques are compared. All probes showed a seasonal variation in corrosion rate. The measurements with commercial probes were associated with some problems. mostly a result of poor contact between the probes and the soil.