COASTAL AREA CORROSION: - THE INVISIBLE THREAT TO STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY

Abstract

Coastal areas are prone to aggressive corrosion due to the combination of saltwater, high humidity, and airborne salinity. This phenomenon poses significant threats to infrastructure, economy, and environmental sustainability. The resulting expansion from the formation of rust products exerts tensile stresses within the concrete, causing cracking, spalling, reduction in area of steel bars and ultimately a loss of structural integrity. This phenomenon is particularly concerning in infrastructures which is exposed to aggressive environments such as marine settings, industrial areas, and regions with high humidity. Examining the role of environmental factors, material selection, and design considerations in corrosion acceleration and inhibition and discuss various corrosion protection methods, including coatings, cathodic protection, and surface treatments. This study highlights the importance of adopting integrated approaches to mitigate corrosion in coastal areas, ensuring the durability and effective prevention and mitigation strategies such as protective coatings, corrosion inhibitors, and cathodic protection, and ensuring regular maintenance and timely repairs.