Corrosion in underground infrastructures

Abstract

There is a significant loss due to corrosion of buried infrastructure. Many pipes have failed due to mistreatment happening within them all around the world. Different soil aeration leads to macro corrosion cells that cause critical levels within the path corrosion leading to a loss of structural integrity of the buried pipes underground. This review paper seeks to address and presents a predetermined model developed by using software COMSOL Multiphysics to identify and characterize the areas experiencing a high rate of corrosion beneath the surface due to differential aeration. The pipe surfaces experience electrochemical reactions and reactant transport mechanisms in the soil and the pipes. Porosity and degree of saturation make the closed-form equations used to create the mass transport properties and electrical properties that constitute three-phase medium using standard soil parameters. The current model enables the study of soil property variations and conditions from the external environment pipeline corrosion. The model results conclude and agree well with the literature and case studies done at pipeline failure sites. The model used in this review will then enable water utilities to develop forecasting tools that may be useful for assessment.