Evaluation of soil aeration as applicable to underground metal corrosion

This thesis examines the influence of soil aeration on the patterns and levels of corrosion experienced by buried metallic infrastructure such as pipelines. It reports results from a multiphysics finite element modelling study and a multidisciplinary experimental programme spanning applied electrochemistry, soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering. The thesis highlights a previously unreported relationship between soil hydraulic properties and underground corrosion, and provides insights into the standard backfill compaction practices for buried metallic infrastructure in relation to corrosion.