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The maintenance of marine structures (case study of Persian Gulf structures)

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 Applied mathematics in Engineering, Management and Technology 3(1) 2015:245-248
www.amiemt-journal.com

The maintenance of marine structures (case study of Persian Gulf

structures)
Hamidreza Ashrafi1,*, Soroush Akhgari2, Alireza Rezaei Ashtiani3
1
Assistant Professor, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
2
MS student of civil engineering, Amirkabir University, Tehran, Iran
3
MS student of civil engineering, Amirkabir University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract

Based on the statistics published by corrosion researches of Ohio State University of

America (RPI), one ton steel is destroyed due to corrosion per seconds. The
investigation of each of factors involved in materials corrosion under environmental
conditions of sea water is very difficult. Each of the researches conducted on
materials corrosion in sea water only were conducted from one view and one type of
corrosion on one or some materials. The present study had a general summary
regarding the general failures in marine environments.

Keywords: Concrete, Marine structures, Maintenance, Deteriorated marine structures

1- Introduction

Averagely On average, about 5.3% of sea water weight is various salts. These salts are combined and form
different types of chlorides and sulfates (e.g. Sodium chloride, Chloride and Magnesium sulfate and Calcium
sulfate, etc.) and all of them deteriorate concrete structures in marine environments. These salts ingress via the
pores and capillary cracks and any hole in concrete and deteriorate it. Magnesium and water-soluble dioxide
carbon and existing sulfates cause deterioration of concrete [1].
Normally, concrete creates an environment with high alkaline protecting its steel against corrosion. The higher
the alkalinity of concrete contact and steel, the higher the concentration of Chlorine ion for corrosion [2].

2- Marine zones

The sea has different zones (Figure 1) these regions include atmosphere zone, surface zone, ebb and flow zone,
shallow zone, average depth zone, deep zone and mud of bottom zone [3]
- Atmosphere zone: In air atmosphere, corrosion is mostly based on the salt particles or the dust on materials
surface.

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H. Ashrafi et al

Figure 1- Different types of marine zones

Another effective factor on corrosion behavior of materials in sea is sun rays. These rays activate corrosion
reactions on some metals including copper and Irion and also it increases biological activity as fungal causing
more humidity and dust on materials. Also, corral particles combined with sea salt cause corrosion of materials
in tropical areas [2].
- Surface zone: The materials in surface zone are wet continually by sea water including air. For some of the
metals and alloys, namely steel, this zone is the most deteriorated zones.
- Ebb and flow zone: Like surface zone, the materials in this zone are in contact with the aeration of sea water
with the difference that these conditions are less in day. For some metals including steel, greater ebb and flows
increases corrosion attack.
- Shallow zone: the temperature in water surface is mostly hotter than surface depth and deep zones of sea and
it is changed by changing the geographical position. Biological activity in steel (namely in thick sheets) reduces
corrosion attack. Environment pollution increases corrosion conditions of sea water and also causes the death of
marine creatures. Thus, under these conditions, the protective role of biological creatures is eliminated.
- Average depth zone: As we get far from coasts, biological corrosion is decreased and oxygen is also reduced
considerably [3].
- Deep zone: In deep zones, the oxygen to create corrosion is increased. The increase of oxygen in the depth
higher than 2000 foot is due to the marine flows. Another factor affecting the corrosion rate in the depth of sea
is PH changes of sea water. The more we go to the depth of sea, PH is lowered and reduction of PH is done by
increasing pressure.
- Mud of bottom zone: The physical, chemical and biological features of sediments show adequate corrosion
in this zone. The surface and depth sediments of this zone have bacteria and they are non-aerobic.

3- Deterioration of concrete structures in marine environments

The marine structures and harbor installations in our harbors are important infrastructural buildings that are
exposed to corrosion of being in marine environment due to being made of concrete or metal. In various cases,
these structures and facilities are not adequately maintained and also they are not evaluated in terms of the
capability of continuing service providing [4]. Generally, it is believed that concrete is one of durable materials.
However, the history of concrete performance in marine environment demonstrated that concrete is encountered
with serious problems in terms of durability against sea water as one of the most corrosive natural environments
in the world. There are various factors regarding metal structures affecting with different degrees the steel
corrosion of sea water. These factors include water temperature, oxygen concentration in water sea, PH of
Water Sea, marine wastes attached to the piles, salinity of sea water, water flow speed on structure, existing
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H. Ashrafi et al

abrasive materials in water and electric effects of non-similar metals. It is possible the piles have reduced cross
section in saline water or due to the chemical attack and abrasion. In addition, non-similar metals with various
electric potentials cause corrosion [5]. The important point is that marine environment has different functions
due to different features in various sectors ranging from atmosphere zone to splashing, wet and dry and
submerged zone and common section with soil in terms of type and deterioration and its progress degree and it
increases the specific sensitivity of this environment on adjusting structures including important structures as
platforms, docks, wharfs, beams and bases of bridge, breakwater and submarine tunnels with long life service
[1]. The water of most seas is similar in terms of different and quantities of insoluble salts. Common value of
salt with 3.5% weight and existing main ions are NA , Mg² ،Cl¯,(¯² SO4. NA, Mg², Cl¯, (SO4)2¯.

3-1 The reasons of deterioration of concrete structures

Various reasons of deterioration of concrete structures with warning signs considering the repair necessary are
analyzed in this section:
- Salts ingress
The deposited salts as the result of evaporation or water flow with salt and the salts gathering in the pores and
cracks can put the structures in pressure during crystallization and this increases corrosion of rebars by salt.
Frequent wetting and drying increases salt concentration as the water with salt still has the salt after
evaporation.
- Design Errors
Using unsuitable standards and false technical features regarding materials selection, executive methods and the
performance of the structure can lead to concrete deterioration.
- Construction errors
Negligence, errors and problems during project execution causes some damages including wasp or hornet nests,
bleeding holes, segregation, shrinkage cracks, extra empty spaces or contaminated concrete and all of them lead
to serious problems. These errors are based on the efficiency, compression degree, curing system, contaminated
mixed water, contaminated aggregates and false application of additives as individually or in group.
- CHLORIDE ATTACK
The existence of free chloride in concrete can damage the inactive protective layer around the rebars. Chloride
corrosion of the rebars inside concrete is an electrochemical process and for doing this process, the required
concentration of chloride ion, anode and cathode regions, electrolyte and existence of oxygen in cathode zones
in corrosion cell is provided. It can be said chloride corrosion is achieved when chloride in concrete is more
than 0.6 kg per cubic meter of concrete. This value depends upon the concrete quality.
- SULPHATE ATTACK
Sulfate salt solution including sodium and magnesium sulfates can attack concrete by two methods:
By the first method, sulfate ion attacks cement aluminate and produces dual salts including THAUMASITE,
ETTRINGITE as water soluble. The second method by which sulfate solutions damage the concrete is
including turning calcium hydroxide to soluble salts as gypsum and MIRABILITE making concrete surface soft
and Leaching of concrete is occurred by a solvent liquid.
- Fire
There are three main factors determining concrete resistance to high heat. These factors include:
Concrete resistance to heat and sealing without cracking and reduction of resistance and concrete conductivity
and thermal capacity of concrete are achieved.
- Freezing
Freezing is a deteriorating factor for wet concretes as water volume is increased and more internal adverse
tensions are created and the concrete is cracked. The cracks and joints as the result of freezing and frequent
melting causes the concrete surface is in the form of scale and due to erosion, deterioration is increased and
freezing of concrete and deterioration depends upon the porosity and permeability of concrete and this is beside
the effects of cracks and joints.
- Ice melting salts
If we use ice melting salts to melt the ice of concrete, besides the deteriorations of freezing, the salts also cause
surface deterioration of concrete.
- Alkaline reaction of aggregates
We can refer to the alkaline-Silica and Alkaline-carbonates reactions.

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H. Ashrafi et al

Alkaline-Silica reaction is the gel obtained of reaction between hydroxide potassium and reacting silica in
aggregate. The alkaline-carbonate reaction is occurred between the existing alkaline in cement and definite
group of limes under good conditions.
- Carbonation
Sometimes, the protective layer beside the rebar inside concrete is deteriorated in case of reduction of
surrounding concrete PH. Thus, penetration of carbon dioxide of air creates a reaction with alkaline concrete
and carbonate is created. Thus, PH of concrete is reduced. As this starts from concrete level and proceeds to the
concrete, concrete rebar is corroded. In addition to corrosion, carbon dioxide and some existing acids in sea
water can dissolve calcium hydroxide and cause concrete surface erosion.
- Other reasons
There are other reasons causing damage and deterioration of concrete and they are identified in recent years.

4- Conclusion

Deterioration of concrete structures in environments with hard conditions like marine environment conditions is
more possible and by considering specific conditions, we should prevent this phenomenon or restrict it.
Concrete structure deterioration in marine environments including chemical, physical and mechanical
deterioration is occurred and relevant solution should be taken. Chemical deterioration includes sulfate attack,
chloride attack, carbonation and alkaline reaction of aggregates. Physical deteriorations include the continual
freezing and melting processes. Mechanical deteriorations are based on abrasion, erosion and cavitation.
Preventive methods and maintenance methods are selected and used based on the repair methods.

Reference

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