Innovative sensing of the corrosion of steel, with application to monitoring the condition of bridges and dams made of steel reinforced concrete
A significant fraction of the bridges and dams made of steel reinforced concrete in the U.S. are structurally deficient, largely due to the corrosion of the steel. To avoid hazards, monitoring the condition of the steel is needed. This project investigates a new and simple electrical method of real-time corrosion monitoring of the steel.
Project description
A significant fraction of the bridges in the U.S. are structurally deficient. As of 2021, in the U.S., 7.5% of the 617,000 bridges, or 46,154 bridges, are considered structurally deficient. It is estimated that $125 billion is needed to repair the bridges. Dams are also at risk of failure. The Rapidan Dam in Minnesota partially failed in 2024. Almost 4,100 dams in the U.S. are categorized at the same risk level and condition (or worse) as the Rapidan Dam. Due to the immense cost of rebuilding the bridges or dams, disaster prevention through monitoring is the only viable solution.
The corrosion of the steel reinforcement is one of the main causes of the structural degradation. The corrosion of the embedded steel cannot be detected by visual inspection, unless it is very serious. It is important to detect the corrosion in the early stage of corrosion, so that the degree of safety of the structure can be assessed and the remaining service life can be estimated.
This project investigates a new, simple and convenient method of corrosion monitoring. This method involves measuring an aspect of the electrical behavior of the steel using a meter and two electrical clips applied to the two ends of the steel bar. The method allows real-time monitoring and amounts to structural self-sensing, i.e., the structural material (steel) sensing its own condition without any device incorporation. In contrast, the conventional electrochemical method of corrosion sensing does not provide structural self-sensing and is not amenable to real-time monitoring. Advantages of structural self-sensing includes low cost, high durability and large sensing volume.
Project outcome
The student will learn the basics of electrical measurement and material evaluation. In the initial stage of this project, the steel bar will not be embedded in concrete. No concrete will be used. The steel bar will be wrapped with wet paper towel for promoting the corrosion, such that its two ends will be exposed for the application of two electrical clips. This electrical method of corrosion monitoring will be established and compared with the conventional electrochemical method of corrosion monitoring. Due to the novelty of the project, the results will likely be publishable.
Project details
| Length of commitment | Longer than a semester; 6-9 months |
| Start time | Anytime |
| In-person, remote, or hybrid? | In-Person Project |
| Level of collaboration | Individual student project |
| Benefits | Academic credit |
| Who is eligible | All undergraduate students who have taken one introductory college-level course in Physics |
Project mentor
Deborah Chung
SUNY Distinguished Professor
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Start the project
- Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
- After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.)
Preparation activities
Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase.
Read the following webpages on electrical measurements, reinforced concrete, and steel.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_measurements
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinforced_concrete
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel
Keywords
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, materials, structures, monitoring, sensing, bridges, dams, civil infrastructures.