01697290

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The corrosion of galvanized steel used for mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls was studied with electrochemical techniques consisting of linear polarization resistance (LPR), Tafel plots, or their combination. The corrosion occurred with the galvanized steel embedded in coarse-grain and fine-grain soils during a nine-month period. The corrosion rate of galvanized steel was primarily acquired with a current-voltage diagram representing the intersection of the Zn dissolution, or anodic reaction, with the corresponding oxygen reduction, or cathodic reaction. The effect of the nearness of the voltage to the intersection (i.e., overpotential, 30 and 130mV) on the corrosion rate measurement was evaluated. The Zn layer and the Zn/Fe interface were also characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The extent of the corroded Zn acquired with the SEM were evaluated with data obtained from electrochemical measurements and preliminary results of the ongoing study are summarized.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFS10 Standing Committee on Transportation Earthworks. Alternate title: Electrochemical Methodology of Corroded Galvanized Steel with Their Microstructures to Access Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls

19-02154

English

11p

2019

Transportation Research Board 98th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; Photos; References; Tables

Earth walls; Electrochemistry; Galvanic corrosion; Galvanized metals; Mechanically stabilized earth; Methodology; Steel; Zinc

Tafel plot

Geotechnology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2019 Paper #19-02154

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 7 2018 9:23AM