MONITORING CORROSION OF REINFORCED SOIL STRUCTURES

The widespread use of mechanically stabilised earth (i.e. reinforced s oil) structures has given rise to the development of techniques to mon itor the corrosion of the reinforcing members. This paper provides the results of a three-year field and laboratory programme designed to de velop state-of-the-art techniques for long-term monitoring of the corr osion condition of the reinforcing members within the structure. The t echniques developed were applied to both new and existing structures a nd include a combination of potential measurements and IR-drop correct ed polarisation resistance measurements which were performed utilising an automated field instrument designed and developed during the proje ct. Measurements were performed on both isolated reinforcing members a nd coupons buried within the structure. Proper implementation of the m onitoring programme provided the necessary information to assist in de termining the useful and safe life of the structure.