Recommended Citation
Soriano Somarriba, E. O., & Bowman, M. D. (2022). Pack rust: Mitigation strategy effectiveness (Joint Transportation Research Program Publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2022/10). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284317373
DOI
10.5703/1288284317373
Abstract
As of 2013, the damage caused by corrosion on highway bridges has been estimated to cost approximately 14 billion dollars annually, and this cost has been increasing over the years. Corrosion is one of the natural phenomena that has been slowly deteriorating infrastructure systems across the United States. One of the most problematic types of corrosion is crevice corrosion, which is defined as the formation of rust between overlapping surfaces, such as the case of a splice connection where flanges are attached by splice plates. A significant number of steel bridges in Indiana have developed crevice corrosion in splice connections. Therefore, this research focuses on the crevice corrosion, or “pack rust,” occurring in these structural elements. The application of coatings alone has not been enough to stop pack rust at these connections. In an attempt to look for approaches that can effectively mitigate this problem and maintain the designed service life of bridges, different strategies have been studied and tested. It was found that the proper use of penetrating sealers can be effective in delaying the development of further corrosion, while the use of caulk alone may be problematic as a repair method.
Report Number
FHWA/IN/JTRP-2022/10
Keywords
pack rust, crevice corrosion, bridges, splice connections, repair methods, coatings, caulking, penetrating sealers
SPR Number
4309
Performing Organization
Joint Transportation Research Program
Sponsoring Organization
Indiana Department of Transportation
Publisher Place
West Lafayette, IN
Date of this Version
2022