Circumferential multi-point corrosion status assessment of steel cables considering self-magnetic flux leakage superposition effect

Abstract

With the advantages of convenient operation and efficient detection, the self-magnetic flux leakage (SMFL) has become an important technology for non-destructive testing of ferromagnetic materials. However, the multi-point corrosion status of steel cable structures is still difficult to precisely assess. In this study, the SMFL theoretical model for the circumferential distribution of steel cable corrosion was established, and the measurement experiment of circumferential multi-point corrosion status was carried out. The results show that the area of circumferential distribution region S, the accumulated magnetic field intensity A and ellipticity e are all positively and quadratically correlated with the corrosion ratio α and defect angle θ of steel cables. Moreover, the magnetic field superposition effect shows an exponential decay trend with the defect interval angle Δφ. The maximum deviation rate of A was less than 10 % under different multi-point corrosion distributions, verifying the principle of magnetic field superposition. Finally, the assessment method based on the effect was proposed, which could accurately and systematically diagnose the circumferential multi-point corrosion status in steel cables.