Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1979

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Abstract

Constant deflection fatigue experiments performed on cathodically protected, notched steel bars in natural sea water produced stresses which caused short cracks to appear soon after the beginning of testing . At stresses above 22 ksi (152 MN/m^2), cracks grew continuously across the bars. At stresses below 22 ksi (152 MN/m^2), and at potentials of -1.20 volts , saturated calomel electrode SCE, cracks did not grow, or arrested part way across the bar. At potentials other than - 1.20 volts , SCE, stress levels had to be less than 19 ksi (131 MN/m^2), before crack growth could be arrested. Strain gage readings suggest calcareous material may be forming on the fracture surfaces of cracks in which growth was arrested. Examination of these surfaces shows a pattern of calcareous deposit and corrosion product which suggests a potential gradient within the crack electrolyte. A mathematical model is presented which describes this potential gradient.

Extent

70 p.

Comments

Thesis (M.S.E.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1979.|Thesis (M.S.E.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1979.

Identifier

FADT13986

Format

pdf

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