CORROSION OF GALVANIZED METAL CULVERTS

Corrosion is a major factor in the life expectancy of metal culvert structures. Corrosion resistance, therefore, is of special interest to the user of galvanized culverts. A thorough investigation was conducted on 287 galvanized culverts located on the 56-mile (90-km) route of I-95 in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The service life of the culverts inspected ranged from 10 to 14 years. Visual observations and electrical tests were made at the culvert site to define the degree of corrosiveness. Water and soil were sampled and chemically analyzed to determine their relationship to or influence on deterioration. Significant corrosive attack was noted in 39 culverts. Tests results revealed that major deterioration was occuring from the exterior (soil side) of the culvert. Exposure conditions found to cause excessive deterioation in uncoated galvanized culverts are dissimilar soil contacts, presence of organic soils, and differentials in aeration and soil moisture. Sulfates and chlorides were contributing factors to the excessive culvert deterioration as was biological corrosion in the form of sulfate-reducing bacteria.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1975/539/539-005.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=CORROSION+OF+GALVANIZED+METAL+CULVERTS&author=R.+Noyce&author=R.+Ostrowski&author=J.+Ritchie&publication_year=1975
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309023904
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Corrosion. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Noyce, R W
  • Ostrowski, R W
  • Ritchie, J M
• Conference:
  • 54th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia
  • Date: 1975-1-13 to 1975-1-17
• Publication Date: 1975

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 38-49
• Monograph Title: Corrosion, Concrete, Quality Control, and Paint Beads
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 539
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Chlorides; Corrosion; Culverts; Deterioration; Environmental impacts; Galvanizing; Living things; Metal pipe; Organic soils; Service life; Soil water; Soils; Sulfates
• Old TRIS Terms: Biological factors
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Environment; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00126831
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309023904
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Dec 16 1975 12:00AM