Corrosion Rate of Steel Component in Public Jetties Around Port Harcourt

Abstract

This study examined the effect of corrosion on the structural integrity and longevity of Abuloma, Bille, Bonny, Marine Base, and Okuru Jetties in Rivers State, Nigeria. The assessment focused on the corrosion of steel components in these Jetties. The thickness of handrails, piers, and embedded rods was monitored for 42 days. The methods employed in this study include both experimental and analytical. The experimental procedure involved the collection of test samples from seawater, reinforced concrete materials, metal piers, handrails, and iron rods. These samples were tested at an average of seven weeks in triplicate, using an ultrasonic thickness gauge (D-meter) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The corrosive level of seawater around the Jetties was assessed through analysis of selected physicochemical parameters, while chloride content in the concrete slab was predicted through a diffusion model. The corrosion rate of the steel components of the Jetties was evaluated through a developed model. The corrosion rate across the Jetties ranged from 7.6 × 10^-5 – 6.8 × 10^-4 mm/day for handrails, 8.3 × 10^-5 – 7.1 × 10^-4 mm/day for piers, and 2.8 × 10^-4 – 4.1 × 10^-4 mm/day for concrete-embedded rods. The findings revealed that jetties with longer service years corroded faster.