Identification and analysis of factors affecting the durability of steel road safety equipment

Joanna Kobus,Lech Kwiatkowski,Jan Jamroz,Rafał Lutze,K Jamroz,J Żukowska

doi:10.1051/matecconf/201712202007

Joanna Kobus, Lech Kwiatkowski + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201712202007

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Abstract

Factors affecting the durability and life of steel road safety equipment have been reviewed. Based on a literature review and own experience, the following factors have been identified: corrosion, mechanical damage and abrasion during usage and maintenance. Corrosion factors have the biggest impact. Preliminary studies on the annual corrosion losses of selected metals and atmospheric corrosion taking into account regional divisions and roadsides show that the current relations do not apply to immediate surroundings with air pollution emitted by road transport. More research is required on that matter. Local corrosion induced by mechanical damage (gravels, stones impacts) to protective coatings and its impact on steel road safety equipment’s durability have also been highlighted.

Highlights

The precise description of physical and chemical processes responsible for the phenomenon known as atmospheric corrosion is difficult due to the complex nature of the environment in which the climatic parameters and pollution of the atmosphere change periodically in a chaotic manner with parallel and simultaneous chemical and photochemical reactions [1–3]
Atmospheric corrosion is usually treated as an electrochemical process, since most of the reactions proceed in aqueous solution and more precisely under a thin film of moisture [4,5]
Understanding the environmental effects of corrosion on materials plays an essential role in technical and economic decisions relating to serviceability of steel road safety equipment

Summary

Introduction

The precise description of physical and chemical processes responsible for the phenomenon known as atmospheric corrosion is difficult due to the complex nature of the environment in which the climatic parameters and pollution of the atmosphere change periodically in a chaotic manner with parallel and simultaneous chemical and photochemical reactions [1–3] The rate of these reactions depends on the type and concentration of pollutants emitted by different anthropogenic or natural sources, the presence of catalysts, change of climatic conditions such as air temperature, humidity, pressure, sunshine, direction and speed of wind. There are five main categories of corrosivity connected with corrosion losses of metals exposed to selected environments and ranging from C1 (very low) to C5 (very high) with low, intermediate and high grades in between These numbers serve as a recommendation of thickness for zinc coating for galvanized steel or type and thickness of a protective system for paint coatings. The aim of this paper is to present preliminary results, that are the starting point for a complex evaluation of operating conditions and an opportunity for optimising the technical and economic management of road safety equipment

Air pollution in the area surrounding streets and roads

Conclusions