Corrosion of Galvanized Strips in Florida Reinforced Earth Walls

Abstract

The corrosion condition of the galvanized reinforcement in Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls (MSEW) was determined at selected sites. For this purpose, 10 MSEW structures were instrumented at 8 different Florida sites for measurements of soil resistivity, electrical potential, and corrosion rates of both galvanized steel and plain steel by polarization resistance tests. The FDOT design standards for soil chemistry and particle size distribution were met in virtually all the test locations and structures tested. The reinforcements in the structures investigated were typically in good condition and the apparent corrosion rate of galvanized elements was low (average about 1 μm/year). A deterioration model for service life forecasting was formulated using the field survey input.