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Assessment, Prevention And Remediation Of Corrosion In Weathering Steel Transmission Line Poles, Matthew Bruce Barragan

Theses and Dissertations

Electric utilities routinely use weathering steel (WS) in transmission line structures, capitalizing on corrosion resistance and associated cost savings. The formation of a protective iron-oxide patina on uncoated above-ground WS surfaces depends on the operating environment and exposure conditions. In fact, exposure to common aggressive environments, such as those found in sulfate-contaminated industrial areas and chloride-laden coastal areas, may dramatically hinder the corrosion resistance of WS transmission line structures.

To assess the corrosion behavior of WS transmission line poles, field inspections were conducted at five test sites comprising diverse operating environments and pole designs. These sites included three locations in …