CONTROL OF CORROSION ON

UNDERWATER PILES

 Introduction
Mechanism, zones & management of corrosions
 Corrosion protection methods
 Introduction
  Corrosion is the destruction of metals and 
alloys by the chemical reaction with the 
environment. During corrosion the metals are 
converted to metallic compounds at the 
surface and these compounds wears away as 
corrosion product.
 Air
Water

Metal/
Alloys

Corrosion
Corrosion Mechanism Of Steel
In Sea Water

• Use of mild steel?
• Use of cast iron?
 Water

Fe2O3 (Rust)

O2 O2

Oxygen is reduced to
form Hydroxide ions.

Iron

Which quickly reacts to form rust.

Zones Of Corrosion Of Steel Piles

Moderate corrosion Atmospheric zone

Severe corrosion Splash Zone

High corrosion Tidal Zone

Low corrosion Submerged zone

CORROSION MANAGEMENT
Assessment of the condition of the steel structure.

Damage No No action required.

Yes

Strategy development based on:

•Cause of damage.
•Degree of damage.
•Timing.
•Economy
•Remaining service life.
•Expertise available.

Design and selection of material.

Remedial work.

Assessment of repaired work

Monitoring and maintenance

of repaired work.
Impact damage that led to both cross-section loss and breakage of the spiral ties
METHODS OF CORROSION
PROTECTION
1. PROTECTIVE COATING

In order to protect metals from corrosion, the contact between
 the  metal  and  the  corrosive  environment  is  to  be  cut  off. 
This is done by coating the surface of metals with a continuous
non-porous  material  inert  to  the  corrosive  atmosphere.
Surface coating are broadly classified into three categories:
1. Metallic coating(Galvanization)
2. Organic coating
3. Inorganic coating 
2. Cathodic Protection
•Cathodic  protection (CP) is the  practice  of  using  
electrochemical  reactions to prevent the corrosion of steel 
structures.

•The implementation  of  a  CP  system  is  quite  simple.  

•Assuming  you already have corroding  steel in seawater, all you 
need is an anode, a  power  supply,  and  engineering  talent.  A  
protective  circuit  is accomplished  between  the  anode,  steel 
(cathode), power supply and electrolyte (seawater).
 Application Of FRP Composites

• Fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) have long been 
used for the repair of concrete structural elements. 
• They are light, posses high strength and are 
resistant to chemicals. 
• In fabric form, they provide unparallel flexibility 
and can be oriented in any direction.
• This makes FRP particularly suited for emergency 
repairs where damage can be multi-directional and 
speed of strength restoration critically important.
 CONCLUSION
• Though there is no absolute way to eliminate
corrosion yet there are some ways to prevent
or minimize the effect of corrosion.
• Apart form the prevention it also requires
regular monitoring.
• Using protective coating, cathodic protection
and use of FPR are some popular ways.