Article

Received 18.11.2025

Revised 02.03.2026

Accepted 26.03.2026

Published 05.04.2026

Retrieved from Vol. 30, No. 1, 2026

Pages 88 -99

Yudin, V. (2026). Effect of aggressive environments and stray currents on the corrosion resistance of corrugated metal pipes. The National Transport University Bulletin, 30(1), 88-99. https://doi.org/10.33744/2308-6645-2026-1-30-88-99

Effect of aggressive environments and stray currents on the corrosion resistance of corrugated metal pipes

Viktor Yudin

The study aimed to investigate the role of corrosion damage to corrugated metal pipes in determining the durability, technical condition and operational reliability of transport structures. The methodology was based on methods of systematisation, engineering and theoretical analysis, illustrative calculation, and the analysis of practical examples. The study established that the corrosive degradation of metal corrugated pipes is predominantly of an electrochemical nature and is determined by the aggressiveness of the soil and water environments. Localised corrosion poses the greatest danger to such structures, as it reduces the shell’s stiffness, local stability and the structure’s remaining service life. In underground and water-saturated conditions, corrosion is accelerated by wetting-drying cycles, which destroy the protective coating and increase the metal’s vulnerability. Stray currents in the vicinity of electrified transport systems constitute a separate man-made risk factor, causing localised anodic areas and accelerated metal damage. The study demonstrated that the corrosion resistance of metal corrugated pipes should be assessed not only by the aggressiveness of the environment, but also by a system of quantitative indicators reflecting the rate of metal loss, local damage, changes in stiffness and the residual service life of the structure. Quantitative assessment based on Faraday’s law has shown that even a relatively small loss of wall thickness is of engineering significance, as it affects the durability, technical condition and operational safety of the transport structure. An engineering approach is proposed for the assessment of the corrosion degradation of corrugated metal pipes based on a corrosion weakening coefficient, which characterises the relative loss of thickness of the metal shell and its approach to a critical state. A simplified relationship linking the initial thickness, critical thickness and corrosion rate is used for the engineering assessment of the remaining service life. The practical significance lies in the possibility of applying the results by designers, operating organisations and diagnostic specialists during the design, operation, inspection and rehabilitation of corrugated metal pipes in transport structures

degradation; remaining service life; durability; operation; structures
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https://doi.org/10.33744/2308-6645-2026-1-30-88-99