Corrosion and Degradation of High-Strength Steel Bridge Wire

Effects of atmospheric corrosion on the degradation of low-carbon, high-strength steel bridge wires were simulated by cyclic corrosion tests. Both galvanized and ungalvanized wires were analyzed. The impact of dissolved salts, pH, and preload on the mechanical behavior (ultimate load and ultimate elongation) of the wires was characterized. No evidence was found for hydrogen-induced or stress corrosion cracking. The observed results can be correlated with the nonuniform reduction of the wire’s cross-sectional area.