Using predicted corrosion damage to determine stress concentration, fracture and crack growth

Structure surfaces damaged by corrosion may develop stress concentrations which lead to initiation of cracks and possible crack growth.

Simulation of the galvanic effects leading to corrosion takes account of the properties of the electrolyte as well as the structural materials, to determine electric fields within the electrolyte, attenuation in the return path, and the surface current densities and potentials. If dissimilar materials are present or a CP system is not adequately designed, areas may exist where anodic current occurs on a structural surface, causing mass loss from the surface. The magnitude of the anodic current density, determined from simulation, can be used to determine surface shape change.