CORROSION RESEARCH

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND   ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Continuing Corrosion Research: For present and upcoming corrosion research and education activities please contact our new faculty member specializing in infrastructure corrosion control, Dr. Christopher Alexander (contact info at https://www.usf.edu/engineering/cee/faculty-staff/index.aspx ). Starting 2019 Dr. Alberto Sagüés is Distinguished University Professor Emeritus and can be contacted at sagues@usf.edu .

CURRENT AND PREVIOUS PROJECTS 2017 UPDATE

See http://www.eng.usf.edu/~sagues/recentpubs.html for publications associated with many of these projects. Electronic versions of final reports on underlined FDOT sponsored projects listed here are available at http://www.dot.state.fl.us/research-center/Completed_Research_main.shtm .   Contact the FDOT Research Center or sagues@usf.edu  for information on availability of hard copy versions of other final reports.

Evaluation of Corrosion Inhibiting Materials applied by impregnation (pressure injection) Methods to Prevent

Corrosion of Post-Tensioned Tendons

Supported by Florida Department of Transportation. Evaluation of impregnating technique for corrosion control in existing tendons. In progress.

Development of Tendon Imaging Sensor

Supported by Florida Department of Transportation. NDT imaging of cross section of external post tensioned tendons for detection of deficient grouting. In progress.

Cathodic Protection for Bridge Tendons

Supported by Florida Department of Transportation. Analysis of feasibility of cathodic protection and prevention via internal electrodes in post tensioned tendons. In progress.

Contactless Electrode for Fast Survey of Concrete Reinforcement Corrosion

Supported by NCHRP IDEA Program. Use of a Kelvin Probe electrode array for rapid measurement of surface potential maps in concrete for corrosion detection. Final Report available online from NCHRP.

“Durability Performance of Submerged Concrete”

Supported by Florida Department of Transportation. Corrosion development in the submerged portion of piling. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

“Reinforcement Corrosion control for Specialty Concrete Formulations”

Supported by Solidia Technologies. In progress.

“Corrosion Characteristics of Unprotected Post-Tensioning Strands Under Stress”

Supported by Florida Department of Transportation. Evaluation of corrosion in stressed strands during the period prior to grouting. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

“MSE Wall Void Repair Effect on Corrosion of Reinforcement”

Supported by Florida Department of Transportation. Corrosion in Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls containing repaired voids. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

"Corrosion of Spiral Rib Aluminized Pipe" Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

Culvert pipe durability investigation.

"Modeling Reinforced Concrete Durability"

Supported by Florida Department of Transportation. Advanced Service life durability forecasting models based on field and experimental data.

"Design and Construction of Precast Piles with Stainless Reinforcing Steel" Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

Supported by Florida Department of Transportation. Structural investigation requiring accurate corrosion resistance projections.

"Remote Monitoring of Bridges"

Supported by Mistras Group Inc. Wireless monitoring of bridge performance including remote assessment of cathodic protection systems.

"Reinforced Concrete Pipe Cracks - Acceptance Criteria" Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

Supported by Florida Department of Transportation. Providing technical basis for new guidelines.

"Corrosion Characteristics of Post-Tensioning Strands in Ungrouted Ducts" Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

Florida Department of Transportation. Determining corrosion issues to refine present guidelines.

"Mechanistic Issues on Corrosion Performance of Dual Polymeric-Zinc Coated Rebar"

Supported by Gerdau Ameristeel. An in-depth investigation of factors determining corrosion performance of a new type of rebar is conducted in cooperation with an industrial sponsor. 

"Corrosion Performance of Steel in Locally Deficient Concrete"

Supported by Florida Department of Transportation. Project assesses preferential chloride penetration at cracks and other local deficiencies of in-place concrete in field structures. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

"Update on Condition of Reinforced Earthwall Straps"

Supported by Florida Department of Transportation. Project revisits Florida earth walls examined a decade ago in a previous project, to determine long term corrosion performance trends. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

“Corrosion Evaluation of Bridges With Epoxy-Coated Rebars”

Supported by Florida Department of Transportation. Project revisits bridges built in Florida with epoxy coated rebar to determine long term corrosion performance trends. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

“Early Warning Corrosion Detection in Post Tensioned Tendons”

Supported by Florida DOT. Electrochemical methods for detecting corrosion in post tensioned assemblies  were assessed. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

“Galvanic Point Anodes for Extending the Service Life of Patched Areas Upon Reinforced Concrete Bridge Members”

Supported by Florida DOT. Performance of zinc anodes embedded in concrete is being evaluated. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

"Development Of A Rational Method For Predicting Corrosion Rates Of Metals In Soils And Waters"

Supported by Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Methods for forecasting corrosion performance of metals for civil infrastructure are being developed, together with procedures to obtain parameters to be used in the predictive methods. Emphasis is on metallic highway drainage culvert pipe, and on steel piling. Mechanisms of corrosion and engineering applications are investigated. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

“Validation and Practical Procedure for Vibrational Evaluation of Tendons”

Supported by Florida DOT. Vibrational evaluation methods to determine residual tension of post-tensioned tendons in segmental bridges are improved for added accuracy. Instrumentation for rapid monitoring of FDOT bridges is designed. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

“Evaluation of Remotely Monitored Battery Powered Systems for Cathodic Protection of Reinforced Concrete”

Supported by Florida DOT. Wireless systems for monitoring functioning of battery-operated impressed current cathodic protection on marine piles were assessed. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

“Evaluation of a surface-applied sacrificial cathodic protection system”

Supported by National Aero Space Administration. Surface-applied cathodic protection anodes for reinforcing steel in concrete, using novel organic/metal combinations, are evaluated with electrochemical techniques.

“Corrosion of Post Tensioning Strands”

Supported by Florida DOT. The mechanism of corrosion failures of grouted, high strength steel post tensioned tendons are investigated using electrochemical techniques and advanced deterioration models. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

“Initial Development of Methods for Assessing Condition of Post-Tensioned Tendons of Segmental Bridges”; “Column Tendon Vibrational Test Preparation and Data Analysis”

Supported by Florida DOT. A series of projects aimed to developing nondestructive vibrational methods to determine residual tension of post-tensioned grouted high strength steel tendons, and data acquisition and analysis in major Florida Bridges. Final Reports available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL. PDF Directly Available

“Corrosion Performance of Concrete Cylinder Piles”

Supported by Florida DOT. Examination of the corrosion condition, concrete quality and chloride penetration characteristics in marine bridge substructures built with spin-cast cylinder piles. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

“Corrosion Performance of Stainless Steel Clad Rebar in Marine Substructure Service”

Portions conducted in cooperation with Stelax, Inc. Stainless steel-clad rebar was evaluated for corrosion resistance in chloride-contaminated concrete.

“In-Core Leaching Sampling and Modeling for Quantitative Prediction of Corrosion of Reinforcing Steel”

Supported by National Science Foundation. This method permits determining free chloride ion content of concrete as a practical alternative to high pressure pore water expression.

“Advanced Analysis of Chloride Ion Penetration Profiles in Marine Substructure Concrete”

Supported by Florida DOT. Developed advanced methods to calculate chloride diffusion coefficients and other durability information from analysis of field-extracted concrete cores. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

"Mechanisms and Performance of Corrosion Inhibitors in Concrete"

Supported by Florida Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration. The applicability of calcium nitrite- and organic-based inhibitors for steel in concrete was evaluated in a multi-year investigation.

"Implementation of SHRP Corrosion Diagnosis Projects in Planning Maintenance Strategies for Florida Bridges"

The Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) developed diagnostic and assessment tools to evaluate the performance of reinforced concrete structures in aggressive environments. These tools, which tended to address deterioration of bridge decks in Northern deicing salt regimes, are being adapted to the marine bridge substructure corrosion problems prevalent in Florida. Supported by Florida DOT. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

"Metallurgical Effects on Chloride Ion Corrosion Threshold of Steel in Concrete"

Investigates influence of steel surface finish and alloy composition on the amount of chloride contamination needed to start corrosion in concrete. Supported by Florida DOT.

"Corrosion Resistance and Service Life of Drainage Culverts" PDF Directly Available

Supported by Florida DOT, this project evaluates the design guidelines for metallic and reinforced concrete drainage culvert durability. A nationwide survey of design approaches was conducted and supplemented by field and laboratory experiments. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

"Corrosion Forecasting for 75-year Durability Design of Reinforced Concrete" PDF Directly Available

Conducted for FDOT, this project used fundamental principles, and laboratory and field data to set up comprehensive computer models for predicting the time to corrosion development of reinforced concrete substructures in marine environments. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

"Influence of Corrosive Inundation on the Corrosion Rate of Galvanized Tie Strips"

Supported by the Florida Department of Transportation, this projects investigated the long-term performance of galvanized reinforcement for earthworks used in bridge accesses and related highway applications. The project concentrated on the effect of periodic salt water flooding on the service life of the reinforcing tie strips. Final Report available from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL. PDF directly available

"Carbonation of Concrete and Effect of Steel Corrosion"

Funded by the Florida Department of Transportation, this investigation examined the extent of concrete carbonation in present Florida bridges, and the prognosis for adequate performance of new concrete formulations being implemented by the FDOT. Parallel laboratory studies developed data to improve the accuracy of service life prediction for reinforced concrete in environments causing concrete carbonation as well as chloride contamination. Final Report available from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL. PDF directly available

"Performance of Galvanized Rebar in Marine Substructure Service" (Parts I and II)

Supported by International Lead Zinc Research Organization. Performance of galvanized reinforcing steel bars in Florida reinforced concrete applications for the marine substructure of bridges. Conducted in cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the project will determine the performance of test piles in the field and also establish in the laboratory the effect of surface condition on the durability of the galvanized rebars.

"Performance of Alternative Material Rebars in Marine Service"

Supported by Florida Department of Transportation. This work (supplementing the investigation described above) examined additional aspects of the performance of galvanized reinforcing steel in marine substructure service. The project focused on the long term durability of the galvanizing coating in concrete. Final Report available from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL. PDF Directly Available

"Chloride Diffusion and Corrosion Effects on Reinforcing Steel in Concrete"

Supported by the National Science Foundation, this is an International Cooperative Activity in cooperation with the Center for Investigation and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV) in Merida, Mexico. Both USF and CINVESTAV share research interests in the corrosion performance of reinforced concrete in marine environments of the Gulf of Mexico. Joint research activities are conducted in the areas of chloride ion contamination of concrete, the performance of coated steel reinforcements, and non-destructive methods for corrosion measurement. Exchanges of scientists and students are implemented in this program.

"Corrosion of Epoxy-Coated Rebar in Florida Bridges"

Supported by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). This project examined the corrosion experienced at major bridges in Florida where epoxy-coated rebar was used for construction of the substructure. Causes of the deterioration, methods of its measurement, and forms of corrosion control were investigated. Final Report available online from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL. PDF Directly Available

"Low-Cost Sprayed Zinc Galvanic Anode for Control of Corrosion of Reinforcing Steel in Marine Bridge Substructures"

Supported by the Strategic Highway Research Program, (SHRP-IDEA Program). This investigation evaluated a new method to protect corroding rebar in marine substructures, by means of sacrificial zinc anodes which are arc-sprayed on the external concrete surface and connected to the steel. The concept shows promise in warm and humid subtropical environments. Feasibility, durability and field performance were assessed. Final Report available from sponsoring agency.

"Low Cost Sprayed Zinc Anode - Phase II; Technology Implementation"

Supported by the National Academy of Sciences. An implementation manual and additional field performance data were developed for a wide range of users. Final Report available from sponsoring agency.

"Performance of Inorganic Coatings for Corrosion Protection of Reinforcing Steel in Concrete"

Funded by PPG Industries, Inc. A novel inorganic coating material on the surface of rebar has shown promise as an alternative corrosion control method. The cathodic and anodic performance of the coating in concrete was studied for aggressive marine service.

"Factors Controlling Corrosion of Steel-Reinforced Concrete Substructure in Seawater"

Supported by the Florida D.O.T. In this project the effect of moisture distribution, oxygen transport, surface treatments and concrete formulation on corrosion distribution of bridge substructure were investigated. Both experimental techniques and computer simulations were used. Final Report available from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL. PDF Directly Available

"Model for Polarization Distribution of Impressed-Current Cathodic Protection of Steel in Concrete"

Supported by Eltech Research Corporation as part of a Strategic Highway Research Program project, this investigation calculates the distribution of protective current in bridge deck cathodic protection systems, as a function of system electrical variables. Final Report SHRP-S-670.

"Durability of Conductive Polymer for Cathodic Protection of Rebars in Concrete Piling"

This Florida D.O.T. sponsored project determined the expected lifetime of conductive rubber anodes for cathodic protection of marine highway structures. The results were obtained by means of a series of laboratory measurements and the development of predictive criteria. Final Report available from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.

"Corrosion Measurements of Aluminum Alloys and Reinforced Concrete for Determination of Culvert Service Life"

Funded by Florida D.O.T. Experimental studies were used to propose redefinition of design service life criteria for Florida highway drainage needs. Final Report available from Florida DOT Research Center, Tallahassee, FL.