Corrosion Engineering of Social Infrastructures and Buildings

—A Historical Review of Events of Past Half Century—

Abstract

Development of corrosion engineering of social infrastructures and buildings in the past half century has been reviewed in connection with the changes and resulting requirements of society. It was intended to pass down the historical background of the present technology to the new generation. Following a brief historical review, an account of ten important topics was given in more details. Included are the use of unpainted weathering steel, cathodic protection of buried pipelines in the early days, quality control of concrete to avoid corrosion of steel reinforcements, mitigation against delayed failure of high-strength bolts for structural bolting, development of groove-corrosion resistant welded water pipe, prevention of premature corrosion of buried utility piping, application of heavy-duty paint coating systems for long-span bridges over straits, various linings for splash-zone protection, instructive impact by a book “America in Ruins” authored by P. Choate and S. Walter, and use of rust-proof stainless steel and titanium for exterior of buildings for amenity.