One of the key highlights of this year’s efforts was the organization of a two-day workshop focused on electrochemical corrosion and its control techniques. This workshop served as a platform for participants, including postgraduate students, research scholars, and industry professionals, to gain insights into the latest advancements in corrosion management. Emphasizing hands-on experience, the workshop provided opportunities for attendees to engage with modern instruments and learn practical data acquisition techniques. This approach not only enhanced participants’ understanding of corrosion but also fostered a collaborative learning environment.

In addition to the workshop, the department has committed to making educational materials freely accessible to individuals not currently enrolled at the university. This initiative aims to promote a culture of lifelong learning and ensure that valuable knowledge is available to all, regardless of their academic status. By providing open access to resources such as lecture notes, research papers, and recorded sessions, the department is actively contributing to the educational landscape and empowering individuals to further their understanding of civil engineering principles.

Overall, the Department of Civil Engineering’s initiatives in 2023 reflect a strong commitment to lifelong learning and community engagement. By addressing the pressing issue of corrosion through educational outreach and resource accessibility, the department is not only enhancing the skill sets of individuals but also contributing to the broader goal of sustainable development. These efforts align with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 4, ensuring that quality education is accessible to all and fostering a culture of continuous learning in the community.

DAY 1 : 17.03.2023 – Session 1 – Basics of Corrosion and its Forms

Dr. A. Poonguzhali presented on the topic “Basics of Corrosion and its forms” which gave a clear understanding about types of corrosion, factors influencing corrosion, prevention and control of corrosion. She started the presentation with the inputs on major impact of corrosion on industries and economic sectors.

She stated that thermodynamically corrosion can never be prevented. She then discussed about the interdisciplinary nature of corrosion and their synergistic influence of various parameters of material, environment and their interfaces playing a key role in the failure of components due to corrosion.

She then explained the various types of corrosion, electrochemical nature of corrosion with relevant chemical equations.

She then highlighted the various factors influencing corrosion, which includes

• Solution pH
• Oxidizing agent
• Temperature
• Velocity
• Surface films

Further, she discussed about various types of corrosion in detail and their prevention and control measures. To list a few, Galvanic corrosion, Dealloying / selective leaching, Graphite corrosion, Localized corrosion, Pitting corrosion, Crevice corrosion, Filiform corrosion, Erosion corrosion, Cavitation corrosion, microbiologically induced corrosion, High temperature corrosion etc.,
Later, she concluded the presentation with various measures to control corrosion, which includes

• Selection of proper material
• Proper design of equipment
• Altering environment
• Cathodic protection
• Sacrificial anode method
• Anodic protection

DAY 1 : 17.03.2023 – Session 2 – Basics of Electrochemistry, Testing & Monitoring

Dr. S. Rangarajan gave a lecture on the topic “Basics of Electrochemistry, Corrosion Testing and Monitoring”. He had begun the presentation with the basics of electrochemistry which gave an adequate input on metal/solution and solution/solution interfaces. He then discussed the electrode potential measurement along with Electromotive Series of metals, Effect of concentration on electrode potentials: The Nernst equation for better understanding. He stated Faraday’s first and second law of electrolysis.

He explained the various corrosion testing techniques with many illustrations.In LPR method, the two electrode and three electrode system were discussed. LPR method is very quick, direct reading and recording of corrosion rate is possible. But it can only be used to liquids that conduct electricity. He then talked about Tafel Extrapolation method and its limitations. He introduced Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy which uses sinusoidal voltage and current perturbations to study electrode processes at equilibrium conditions by understanding electrochemical relaxation phenomena with varying orders of magnitude of frequency from 10-4 Hz to 80 MHz.

Further he described the electrochemical noise analysis and its application in Pit inhibition, SCC crack propagation, MIC in buried pipelines, inhibitor evaluation, weld corrosion, biocide efficacy etc.

He then talked about the mostly widely used method for measuring material loss occurring in the interior of plant and pipelines which is Electrical Resistance Monitoring where it utilizes an ER probe comprises of a sensing element, as a loop material made from wire or strip which is used to conduct an electrical signal.

Later, he concluded the session by suggesting books for future references. Few books he cited are list below:

• Mars G. Fontana, “Corrosion Engineering”, third edition, Mc Graw hill lnc.,1987
• ASM handbook – Vol 13: Corrosion, ASM International,2001

DAY 1 : 17.03.2023 – Session 3 – Advanced Electrochemical Techniques

Dr. S. Ningshen, started the session with his lecture on the topic “Advanced Electrochemical Techniques for Corrosion Monitoring”. He emphasized on the significance of corrosion monitoring techniques in combating corrosion, which can have major economic and safety implications. He discussed the statistics of global cost of corrosion which is estimated to be US$2.5 trillion which could be minimized by 15 to 35% of the cost of corrosion if available corrosion control practices are utilized properly. He addressed some of the infamous corrosion catastrophes like Aloha Airlines Flight-243 incident, Silver bridge collapse, Erika sinking etc., which should be known to avoid in future with proper corrosion monitoring.

He stated that corrosion monitoring is the practice of acquiring information on the progress of corrosion-induced damage to material. He also highlighted the several other benefits of corrosion monitoring techniques like

• To inspect and predict the corrosion damage level of structures
• To obtain information on the state of equipment by providing an early detection to the damaging process.
• To improve operational reliability of new and/or modified plants and processes.

Further he discussed the corrosion testing methods which was classified into three major types. They are: 1.Laboratory tests, 2. Field tests 3. Service tests.

He then discussed the Standard of corrosion testing methods and their types like ASTM, NACE, SSPC, API, AWS, SO etc., for corrosion testing. He gave a detailed talk on Electrochemical noise (ECN) for corrosion monitoring, Field corrosion detection of nuclear materials using ECN, EN-based corrosion monitoring system, their advantages and disadvantages. Lastly, he gave inputs on future developments, such as wireless, intelligent and automatic electrochemical measurement, that will augment the present electrochemical methods of evaluating corrosion degradation.

DAY 1 : 17.03.2023 – SESSION 4

Hands on Training – Chemistry and Civil Engg. Department Laboratories.

Figure IV (3.1) – 9:  Hands on Training – Chemistry and Civil Engg. Department Laboratories