Corrosion Assessment for DYWIDAG Ductile Iron Piles

Non-grouted piles are exposed to the surrounding ground, thus certain corrosion rates for the piles have to be considered.

Most of the existing tables for corrosion of piles and/or sheet piles are set up for steel components. Cast iron behaves differently with respect to corrosion. First of all, the corrosion speed of cast iron is generally lower and secondly, the casting crust is an additional barrier which slows corrosion.

In Austria, where Driven Ductile Iron Piles have been used for many years, sacrificial corrosion values are published in the standard ONR 22567 (as determined by MA39, i.e. Material Testing Authorities, Vienna).

Corrosion rates depend on aggresivity levels of the ground and should be calculated on a site by site basis, to establish residual load bearing capacities. Additional corrosion protection measures include:

• stepping up to the thicker wall pile,
• use of the grout injection pile (external annulus of the pile is fully grouted)