ABSTRACT
The corrosion of buried infrastructure is a major issue with significant economic impacts. To understand current industry practices and perspectives, an international survey was conducted, revealing that industry professionals prioritize corrosion protection, regular inspection, and monitoring over engineered backfills. Historically, pipelines installed in the 1900s, mainly constructed from ferrous metals like cast iron, are now highly susceptible to electrochemical corrosion. Initially, natural excavation soils offered minimal corrosion protection, but since the 1960s, granular materials like sand have increasingly been used to enhance structural support. Despite these advancements, current backfill specifications primarily focus on structural integrity rather than corrosion mitigation. Although cathodic protection mitigates corrosion, it demands frequent maintenance and may negatively affect adjacent pipelines. Alternatively, engineered backfill materials represent a viable, low-maintenance solution to effectively prevent corrosion. The survey findings also emphasize the necessity of integrating corrosion mitigation into backfill design, providing a sustainable approach to enhance long-term pipeline durability.
