NSS test of structural steel corrosion

Corrosion of structural steel represents one of the most significant degradation effects on the reliability and durability of steel bridges. Relevant data needed for good protection of steel structures can only be reliably derived from long-term measurements. For acceleration of corrosion process, measurement in the corrosion chambers can be utilised. The article summarized the results of experimental measurements of corrosion losses carried out on 30 specimens of structural steel corrosion in the test chamber during 140 days. The environment in the chamber simulates the conditions in which, generally, several-day period in the chamber corresponds to either months or even years of outdoor exploitation. Discussion focused on the results interpretation to corrosion progress in real conditions is given, as well. The obtained measurement data should be used to refine the input data for corrosion maps in Slovakia. The presented results are part of a research project focused on measuring corrosive losses of structural steel in situ and as well as in laboratory conditions.