Quantitative method for evaluating corrosion defects and residual bearing capacity of bridge structural steel via MMM technique

The quantitative assessment of corrosion defects and residual bearing capacity is essential to ensure the safe operation of bridge steel structures. In this study, Q345qD steel was selected as the research object, and specimens with different corrosion levels were prepared using the electrochemical corrosion method. Metal magnetic memory (MMM) detection experiments and uniaxial tensile experiments on corroded steel plates were performed. A three-dimensional magnetic charge model of a corroded steel plate considering the end effect was built to explain the variation of the MMM signals. The finite element simulation results of the corroded steel plates were consistent with the experimental and theoretical results. Based on experimental and finite element data, the quantitative relationship between the corrosion depth h and the magnetic characteristic parameter Hn(z) is established with a relative error within 15 %. A quantitative relationship between the nominal tensile strength sigma u and the magnetic characteristic parameter Hn(z) is proposed with an evaluation accuracy within +/- 5 MPa. It is suggested that the proposed evaluation method is feasible in quantitatively evaluating the defects and residual tensile strength of corroded steel plates using the MMM technique.