School of Engineering (Civil Engineering)
Email:rob.melchers@newcastle.edu.au
Phone:(02) 4921 6044
Professor Robert Melchers' research on marine corrosion at the University of Newcastle is leading the way towards safer, more resilient offshore engineering and construction.
Marine corrosion is known to be aggressive, but how aggressive it can be under long-term exposures is the critical question for the safety and economics of much industrial infrastructure, including harbour, coastal and offshore oil industry facilities.
Throughout the world, hundreds of thousands of kilometres of submarine pipelines cross the ocean floor. Every year they are used to transport hundreds of millions of tons of hazardous materials – particularly oil and gas – thus, the integrity of this infrastructure is critical.
Professor Melchers' research contributes to creating a better understanding of the corrosion of steel in marine environments. In particular, it addresses a big issue for the water industry worldwide; the corrosion of mooring chains and wire rope for offshore platforms, and the exterior corrosion of cast iron water pipes. In 2006 the International Ship Structures Committee adopted Melchers' corrosion models for the condition assessment of aged ship structures.
His research throws new light on the influence of bacteria and water pollution in relation to the severity of corrosion. Mathematical models have been developed for general corrosion and offered completely new interpretations of the statistics of maximum pit depth, which is especially important for pipelines, as any leak can be disastrous. These mathematical models also help to predict when corrosion may occur, allowing for efficient planning of resources.
With the world becoming increasingly reliant on concrete sea structures to meet its energy and resources needs, Professor Melchers and his team are also investigating corrosion of reinforced concrete in the marine environment. Reinforced concrete is used in the construction of advanced marine structures such as offshore drilling platforms, superspan bridges and undersea tunnels.
In conjunction with all the leading Water Authorities in Australia, Professor Melchers is developing a model for the loss of concrete on the inside walls of concrete sewer pipes. Used in almost all major cities, these pipes are increasingly at risk. The water industry is very concerned about their remaining life and is keen to hear about innovations to make them less prone to failure. The mathematical models developed so far will help to resolve this issue.
The Australian Research Council recently awarded Professor Melchers $1.1 million in Discovery Project Funding. This includes the award of a prestigious 'DORA' (Discovery Outstanding Researcher Award), one out of only 17 awarded nationally. This funding will further his investigations into the more fundamental aspects of marine corrosion.
Bacterial and microbiological activity is known to contribute to seawater corrosion. However, recent findings have observed very aggressive corrosion also under sterile and apparently benign conditions. No theory to explain these observations currently exists. Melchers has proposed the hypothesis that in certain circumstances second-phase constituents of steels will facilitate autocatalytic corrosion under anoxic conditions. His new research project explores the mechanisms and conditions likely to be involved.
A leading structural engineering academic in Australia, Professor Melchers was the founding editor of the Australian Journal of Structural Engineering. He was also a founding Principal of AMOG Consulting Pty Ltd in 1991, which now has offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Houston.
Professor Melchers' research into structural reliability and corrosion modelling of steel and concrete structures has won him many international awards and invitations to contribute to international research projects. In 2013 he was awarded the Engineers Australia John Connell Medal, presented annually to a structural engineer who has made a significant national and international contribution to the profession.
Professor Melchers' academic record is outstanding. He has received two five-year Australian Professorial Fellowships from the Australian Research Council, has published four books, over 200 refereed journal papers and numerous conference papers and reports.
Professor Melchers has managed to blend a highly successful academic career while still being a leader in industry and in the profession, through Engineers Australia.
Professor Robert Melchers’ research on marine corrosion at the University of Newcastle is leading the way towards safer, more resilient offshore engineering and
Structural engineering risk and reliability analyses, Probabilistic modelling of engineering systems, Corrosion and deterioration modeling & Investigation of structural failures.
PhD, University of Cambridge - UK
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Monash University
Master of Engineering Science, Monash University
Diploma in Education, Monash University
Probabilistic modelling
090506 Structural Engineering 75
091207 Metals and Alloy Materials 15
091499 Resources Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy not elsewhere classified 10
Professor University of Newcastle
1/01/2009 - 1/06/2015 Fellow APF (ARC)
ARC - Discovery - Projects (including Australian Professorial Fellowships, Queen Elizabeth II Fellowships, and Australian Postdoctoral Fellowships))
1/01/2004 - 1/12/2008 Fellowship APF
1/01/2003 - Membership - Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering ATSE (Australian Academy of Technologiy and Engineering)
1/01/2000 - Member (Ministerial appointment - renewed twice) Nuclear Safety Committee, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Authority (Federal Government regulator)
1/01/1990 - Editor - Structural Safety (Elsevier, USA) Structural Safety (Elsevier, USA)
Member - Independent Technical Review Committee (dealing with technical problems with the Collins Class submarines [Classified - Secret]) Department of Defence
1/01/2006 - Member - Korean Journal of Civil Engineering (Korean Society of Civil Engineers) Korean Journal of Civil Engineering (Korean Society of Civil Engineers)
1/01/2005 - Regional Editor - Ships and Offshore Structures Ships and Offshore Structures
1/01/1998 - Member - Reliability Engineering and System Safety (Elsevier, USA) Reliability Engineering and System Safety
1/01/1998 - Editor - Australian Journal of Structural Engineering Australian Journal of Structural Engineering
1/01/1993 - 31/12/2003 President International Civil Engineering Risk and Reliability Association (ICERRA)
1/01/1988 - Member - Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization (Springer, Germany) Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization
1/01/1987 - Member - Civil and Environmental Engineering Systems (Gordon & Breach, UK) Civil and Environmental Engineering Systems
1/01/1985 - Member - Executive Committee for IASSAR International Association for Structural Safety and Reliability (IASSAR)
2007 Visiting Research Fellow
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Book8Chapter15Journal article343Conference293
Book (8 outputs)
2018 Melchers RE, Beck AT, Structural Reliability Analysis and Prediction, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ, 497 (2018)
2018 Pacheco-Torgal F, Melchers RE, Shi X, De Belie N, Van Tittelboom K, Sáez A, Eco-efficient Repair and Rehabilitation of Concrete Infrastructures (2018)
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Eco-efficient Repair and Rehabilitation of Concrete Infrastructures provides an updated state-of-the-art review on eco-efficient repair a... [more]
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Eco-efficient Repair and Rehabilitation of Concrete Infrastructures provides an updated state-of-the-art review on eco-efficient repair and rehabilitation of concrete infrastructure. The first section focuses on deterioration assessment methods, and includes chapters on stress wave assessment, ground-penetrating radar, monitoring of corrosion, SHM using acoustic emission and optical fiber sensors. Other sections discuss the development and application of several new innovative repair and rehabilitation materials, including geopolymer concrete, sulfoaluminate cement-based concrete, engineered cementitious composites (ECC) based concrete, bacteria-based concrete, concrete with encapsulated polyurethane, and concrete with super absorbent polymer (SAPs), amongst other topics. Final sections focus on crucial design aspects, such as quality control, including lifecycle and cost analysis with several related case studies on repair and rehabilitation. The book will be an essential reference resource for materials scientists, civil and structural engineers, architects, structural designers and contractors working in the construction industry.
2008 Paik JK, Melchers RE, Condition Assessment of Aged Structures, Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, UK, 535 (2008) [A3]
Scopus - 89
2007 Melchers RE, Hough R, Modeling Complex Engineering Structures, ASCE, Reston, VA, 359 (2007) [A3]
2003 Stewart MG, Melchers RE, Probabilistic Risk Assessment Of Engineering Systems, Tuttle-Mori Agency Inc, Tokyo, 251 (2003) [A4]
1999 Melchers RE, Structural Reliability Analysis and Prediction, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, England, 431 (1999) [A1]
Show 5 more books
Chapter (15 outputs)
2018 Melchers RE, Chaves IA, 'Service life estimation of concrete infrastructures', Eco-efficient Repair and Rehabilitation of Concrete Infrastructures, Woodhead Publishing, Duxford, UK 15-37 (2018) [B1]
Igor Chaves
2016 Melchers RE, 'Principles of marine corrosion', Springer Handbook of Ocean Engineering, Springer International, Dordrecht 111-125 (2016) [B1]
2015 Melchers RE, 'Progression of Pitting Corrosion and Structural Reliability of Welded Steel Pipelines', Oil and Gas Pipelines: Integrity and Safety Handbook 327-342 (2015)
© 2015 by John Wiley &amp; Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. Pitting is an important form of corrosion that often is responsible for the perforation of physical infrastructure suc... [more]
© 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. Pitting is an important form of corrosion that often is responsible for the perforation of physical infrastructure such as pipelines, tanks, and vessels. This chapter discusses the structural and low-alloy steels such as those commonly employed in the offshore oil industry, for ships and for coastal infrastructure. It is also limited to pipelines and exposed to sea and other watery areas. The development of analytical models to represent the progression of pit depth with increased exposure time and as a function of influencing factors is outlined. The development is built on a very brief review of the extensive literature and research on nucleation, initiation, and early growth of pits. A summary is given of the principal factors known to influence pitting corrosion, including steel composition and water quality. Although electrochemistry lies at the heart of corrosion processes, much of the discussion in this chapter deals with engineering application aspects.
2014 Melchers RE, 'Modelling long term corrosion of steel infrastructure in natural marine environments', Understanding Biocorrosion: Fundamentals and Applications 213-241 (2014)
10.1533/9781782421252.2.213
2011 Melchers RE, 'Probabilistic methods for service life estimation of civil engineering structures', Service life estimation and extension of civil engineering structures, Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, UK 179-192 (2011) [B1]
2008 Melchers RE, 'Corrosion wastage in aged structures', Condition Assessment of Aged Structures, Woodhead Publishing Limited, Cambridge, United Kingdom 77-106 (2008) [B1]
2008 Melchers RE, 'Reliability of aged land-based structures', Condition Assessment of Aged Structures, Woodhead Publishing Limited, Cambridge, United Kingdom 352-363 (2008) [B1]
2007 Melchers RE, 'Concluding reflections', Modeling Complex Engineering Structures 341-344 (2007)
2007 Melchers RE, Hough R, 'Structural Modeling: An Overview', Modeling Complex Engineering Structures, American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, Virginia 1-9 (2007) [B1]
2007 Melchers RE, Guan X-L, 'Complex Structural Analysis and Structural Reliability', Modeling Complex Engineering Structures, American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, Virginia 313-340 (2007) [B1]
2006 Melchers RE, 'Probabilistic models for corrosion in structural reliability assessment', Recent Developments in Reliability-Based Civil Engineering 161-164 (2006)
© 2006 by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved. The basic concepts in structural reliability analysis using probability theory are overviewed and the impo... [more]
© 2006 by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved. The basic concepts in structural reliability analysis using probability theory are overviewed and the important effect of structural deterioration is noted. For representation of material loss due to corrosion and for pitting corrosion appropriately accurate models are required. These should account for the many variables involved in natural environments. Recently introduced probabilistic phenomenological models for marine immersion corrosion are then described both for general and for pitting corrosion. These show that the nature of the corrosion process changes from being controlled by oxygen diffusion and later by anaerobic bacterial action. This change has important implications for longer-term prediction of general corrosion loss and for maximum pit depth. A summary is given also of the effects of steel composition, water velocity, salinity, pollution and season of first immersion.
10.1142/9789812707222_0008
2006 Melchers RE, 'Probabilistic models for corrosion in structural reliability assessment', Recent developments in reliability-based civil engineering, World Scientific Publishing, Singapore 141-164 (2006) [B1]
2005 Melchers RE, 'Reliability Analysis', Structural Safety And Its Quality Assurance, American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, Virginia 46-66 (2005) [B1]
2005 Melchers RE, Beck AT, 'Time-Variant Reliability', Engineering Design Reliability Handbook, CRC Press, Boca Raton Ch 18 (2005) [B1]
Show 12 more chapters
Journal article (343 outputs)
2020 Melchers RE, Chaves IA, 'Durability of reinforced concrete bridges in marine environments', Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 16 169-180 (2020) [C1]
2019 Petersen RB, Melchers RE, 'Effect of moisture content and compaction on the corrosion of mild steel buried in clay soils', CORROSION ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 54 587-600 (2019) [C1]
2019 Mokhtari M, Melchers RE, 'Next-generation fracture prediction models for pipes with localized corrosion defects', Engineering Failure Analysis, 105 610-626 (2019) [C1]
10.1016/j.engfailanal.2019.06.094
2019 Melchers RE, Petersen RB, Wells T, 'The effect of atmospheric precipitation on the corrosion of ferrous metals buried in soils', CORROSION ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 54 28-36 (2019) [C1]
2019 Melchers RE, Chaves IA, 'Reinforcement Corrosion in Marine Concretes-1: Initiation', ACI MATERIALS JOURNAL, 116 57-66 (2019) [C1]
10.14359/51716827
2019 Melchers RE, Petersen RB, Wells T, 'Empirical models for long-term localised corrosion of cast iron pipes buried in soils', Corrosion Engineering Science and Technology, 54 678-687 (2019) [C1]
2018 Melchers RE, 'Progress in developing realistic corrosion models', Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 14 843-853 (2018) [C1]
2018 Chernov BB, Chaves IA, Nugmanov AM, Melchers RE, 'Corrosion Performance of Low Alloy Steels in Sub-Arctic Natural Seawater', CORROSION, 74 1466-1475 (2018) [C1]
10.5006/2951
2018 Mokhtari M, Melchers RE, 'A new approach to assess the remaining strength of corroded steel pipes', Engineering Failure Analysis, 93 144-156 (2018) [C1]
2018 Soltani Asadi Z, Melchers RE, 'Long-term external pitting and corrosion of buried cast iron water pipes', Corrosion Engineering Science and Technology, 53 93-101 (2018) [C1]
2018 Melchers RE, Petersen RB, 'A reinterpretation of the Romanoff NBS data for corrosion of steels in soils', Corrosion Engineering Science and Technology, 53 131-140 (2018) [C1]
2018 Petersen RB, Melchers RE, 'Bi-modal trending for corrosion loss of steels buried in soils', Corrosion Science, 137 194-203 (2018) [C1]
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd Corrosion loss data from the 1957 NBS study for steels buried in a large variety of soils and exposed over 12¿17 years are re-interpreted, supported with estim... [more]
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd Corrosion loss data from the 1957 NBS study for steels buried in a large variety of soils and exposed over 12¿17 years are re-interpreted, supported with estimates for scatter in the data. This shows that losses predominantly are consistent with the bi-modal trending pattern also previously observed for steel exposed in a variety of other environments. For short-term and low time of wetness exposures the trends are consistent with mode 1 of the bi-modal trend. These reinterpretations should permit development of better understanding of the factors important for short- and-long term corrosion trends and for improved modelling and prediction.
10.1016/j.corsci.2018.03.048
2018 Rajabipour A, Melchers RE, 'Service life of corrosion pitted pipes subject to fatigue loading and hydrogen embrittlement', International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 43 8440-8450 (2018) [C1]
© 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC The structural service life of brittle material pipes with exterior corrosion pits is likely to depend on crack initiation and crack develo... [more]
© 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC The structural service life of brittle material pipes with exterior corrosion pits is likely to depend on crack initiation and crack development and this may be influenced by pressure loading fluctuations and the possibility of material hydrogen embrittlement. Recently developed methods are used to estimate the cracking pattern, the failure state of the crack development from external pits and the rate of Hydrogen-Assisted Cracking under fluctuating loadings. The effect of hydrogen from the surrounding environment on the cracking rate is formulated using a generalized form of Paris' law. The depth of cracks initiated from surface pits is estimated as a function of pipe age. A realistic example is presented and the results discussed.
2018 Liang M, Melchers R, Chaves I, 'Corrosion and pitting of 6060 series aluminium after 2 years exposure in seawater splash, tidal and immersion zones', CORROSION SCIENCE, 140 286-296 (2018) [C1]
2018 Melchers RE, Wells T, 'Correlation between soil electrical resistivity, polarisation resistance and corrosion of steel', Corrosion Engineering Science and Technology, 53 524-530 (2018) [C1]
2018 Liang M, Melchers RE, Chaves IA, 'Complex Pitting Corrosion in Long-Term Immersed Exposures of 6060 Aluminum Alloys in Temperate Natural Seawater', CORROSION, 74 1272-1287 (2018) [C1]
2018 Asadi ZS, Melchers RE, 'Clustering of corrosion pit depths for buried cast iron pipes', CORROSION SCIENCE, 140 92-98 (2018) [C1]
2017 Kovalenko R, Melchers RE, Chernov B, 'Long-term immersion corrosion of steel subject to large annual variations in seawater temperature and nutrient concentration', STRUCTURE AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, 13 978-987 (2017) [C1]
2017 Melchers RE, 'Post-perforation external corrosion of cast iron pressurised water mains', Corrosion Engineering Science and Technology, 52 541-546 (2017) [C1]
2017 Peng L, Stewart MG, Melchers RE, 'Corrosion and capacity prediction of marine steel infrastructure under a changing environment', STRUCTURE AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, 13 988-1001 (2017) [C1]
2017 Wang X, Melchers RE, 'Long-term under-deposit pitting corrosion of carbon steel pipes', OCEAN ENGINEERING, 133 231-243 (2017) [C1]
10.1016/j.oceaneng.2017.02.010
2017 Wang X, Melchers RE, 'Corrosion of carbon steel in presence of mixed deposits under stagnant seawater conditions', JOURNAL OF LOSS PREVENTION IN THE PROCESS INDUSTRIES, 45 29-42 (2017) [C1]
10.1016/j.jlp.2016.11.013
2017 Asadi ZS, Melchers RE, 'Pitting corrosion of older underground cast iron pipes', CORROSION ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 52 459-469 (2017) [C1]
2017 Asadi ZS, Melchers RE, 'Extreme value statistics for pitting corrosion of old underground cast iron pipes', RELIABILITY ENGINEERING & SYSTEM SAFETY, 162 64-71 (2017) [C1]
10.1016/j.ress.2017.01.019
2017 Melchers RE, Pape TM, Chaves IA, Heywood RJ, 'Long-term durability of reinforced concrete piles from the Hornibrook Highway Bridge', AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING, 18 41-57 (2017) [C1]
2017 Melchers RE, Chaves IA, 'A comparative study of chlorides and longer-term reinforcement corrosion', MATERIALS AND CORROSION-WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION, 68 613-621 (2017) [C1]
10.1002/maco.201609310
2016 Celikkol-Aydin S, Gaylarde CC, Lee T, Melchers RE, Witt DL, Beech IB, '16S rRNA gene profiling of planktonic and biofilm microbial populations in the Gulf of Guinea using Illumina NGS', Marine Environmental Research, 122 105-112 (2016) [C1]
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd 16S rRNA gene profiling using a pipeline involving the Greengenes database revealed that bacterial populations in innermost (proximal to the steel surface) and... [more]
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd 16S rRNA gene profiling using a pipeline involving the Greengenes database revealed that bacterial populations in innermost (proximal to the steel surface) and outer regions of biofilms on carbon steel exposed 3 m below the surface at an offshore site in the Gulf of Guinea differed from one another and from seawater. There was a preponderance of gammaproteobacterial sequences, representing organisms known for hydrocarbon degradation. Total DNA from the innermost layer was 1500 times that recovered from the outermost. Stramenopiles (diatom) sequences were prevalent in the former. Rhodobacteriaceae, key biofilm formers, comprised 14.9% and 4.22% OTUs of inner and outer layers, respectively. Photosynthetic anaerobic sulfur oxidizer sequences were also prominent in the biofilms. Analysis of data using a different pipeline with Silva111 allowed detection of 0.3¿0.4% SRB in the biofilms. The high abundance of aerobic micro-algal sequences in inner biofilm suggests they are initial colonizers of carbon steel surfaces in a marine environment. This is the first time that the microbial population of the strongly attached inner layer of the biofilm on steel has been differentiated from the outer, readily removed layer. The accepted scraping removal method is obviously inadequate and the resulting microbial analysis does not offer complete information on the biofilm community structure.
10.1016/j.marenvres.2016.10.001
2016 Comanescu I, Melchers RE, Taxén C, 'Corrosion and durability of offshore steel water injection pipelines', Ships and Offshore Structures, 11 424-437 (2016) [C1]
© 2015 Taylor &amp; Francis. Carbon steel pipelines are widely used for injection of sea and other waters into oil and gas wells so as to increase the rate of recovery, particul... [more]
© 2015 Taylor & Francis. Carbon steel pipelines are widely used for injection of sea and other waters into oil and gas wells so as to increase the rate of recovery, particularly from mature fields. Internal corrosion usually is mild. However, cases of very aggressive channelling corrosion along the bottom of the pipeline have been observed. Practical experience and anecdotal observations have attributed this to microbiologically influenced corrosion even though extensive use is made of preventative measures including biocides, oxygen scavengers, corrosion and scale inhibitors, and pipeline pigging. Interpretation of data and observations for five water injection pipelines, made available by industry, indicate that microbiologically influenced corrosion may play a part in causing channelling corrosion but that the most likely cause is under-deposit corrosion under pipe debris that settles during periods of pipeline shut-downs and low water velocity.
2016 Baji H, Ronagh HR, Melchers RE, 'Reliability of ductility requirements in concrete design codes', Structural Safety, 62 76-87 (2016) [C1]
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd Ductility is an important limit state for the design of reinforced concrete beams. Its implementation varies considerably between design codes. This is investi... [more]
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd Ductility is an important limit state for the design of reinforced concrete beams. Its implementation varies considerably between design codes. This is investigated using reliability-based assessment with ductility defined by strain ratio. The modelling uncertainty for the ductility limit state typically is much greater than that for structural strength limit state. This is reflected in the corresponding reliability indices of limit state defined for ductility. Some of these could be considered unacceptably low.
10.1016/j.strusafe.2016.06.005
2016 Melchers RE, Emslie R, 'Investigations for structural safety assessment of corroded cast iron bridge piers', Australian Journal of Structural Engineering, 17 55-66 (2016) [C1]
© 2015 Engineers Australia. Cast iron bridge piers, often more than 100 years old, are still in service in rail and road bridges in many parts of Australia. Increasingly, the effe... [more]
© 2015 Engineers Australia. Cast iron bridge piers, often more than 100 years old, are still in service in rail and road bridges in many parts of Australia. Increasingly, the effect of corrosion on their present and future structural safety is of interest. Field investigations and observations to assess corrosion losses and pitting of the cast iron piers of four different operational railway bridges located in tidal marine exposure conditions are described, noting that direct visual examination usually is rendered difficult by immersion, marine growth and the presence of the graphitised layer. Measured corrosion losses and pit depths showed considerable variability between piers and between bridges. Evidence was found for the influence of microbiological corrosion, fostered by nitrogenous pollution. Implications for structural safety assessment are discussed and an example given of the estimation of likely future rate of (long-term) corrosion, necessary for assessment of remaining structural safe life.
2016 Melchers RE, Chaves IA, Jeffrey R, 'A conceptual model for the interaction between carbon content and manganese sulphide inclusions in the short-term seawater corrosion of low carbon steel', Metals, 6 (2016) [C1]
© 2016 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. The critical role of manganese sulphide (MnS) inclusions for the initiation of the short-term growth of pitting or locali... [more]
© 2016 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. The critical role of manganese sulphide (MnS) inclusions for the initiation of the short-term growth of pitting or localized corrosion of low carbon steels has long been recognized. Classical results show that pitting probability and pitting severity increases with increased sulphide concentration for low carbon steels as a result of magnesium sulphides acting as local cathodes for initiating pitting corrosion. However, the iron carbides (cementite) in steels can also act as local cathodes for initiation of pitting corrosion. Herein it is proposed that there is competition between pits for cathodic area and that this will determine the severity of pitting and general corrosion observed in extended exposures. Preliminary experimental data for immersion exposures of up to 56 days in natural seawater of three low carbon steels show, contrary to conventional wisdom, greater pit depths for the steels with lower S content. However, the pit depth results are consistent with lower C/S ratios. This is considered to support the concept of cathodic competition between C and S. It is proposed that this offers explanations for a number of other phenomena, including the thus far unexplained apparently higher reactivity of some MnS inclusions.
10.3390/met6060132
Igor Chaves, Robert Jeffrey
2016 Chaves IA, Melchers RE, Peng L, Stewart MG, 'Probabilistic remaining life estimation for deteriorating steel marine infrastructure under global warming and nutrient pollution', Ocean Engineering, 126 129-137 (2016) [C1]
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd The longer-term serviceability and structural safety of steel infrastructure exposed to seawater conditions may be affected by global warming and by seawater n... [more]
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd The longer-term serviceability and structural safety of steel infrastructure exposed to seawater conditions may be affected by global warming and by seawater nutrient pollution. These may affect abiotic and biotic (microbial) corrosion. A model for long-term corrosion is developed from data obtained from steel piling exposed for 33 years in a seawater harbour. The effects on corrosion losses on the structural reliability of steel sheet piling as used in harbours world-wide were investigated as a function of seawater temperature rise from global warming and of seawater nutrient pollution. The results show that structural reliability is more sensitive to likely nutrient pollution than to predicted increases in seawater temperature, noting also that global warming also could increase nutrient pollution from anthropological sources.
Igor Chaves, Mark Stewart
2016 Machuca LL, Jeffrey R, Melchers RE, 'Microorganisms associated with corrosion of structural steel in diverse atmospheres', International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 114 234-243 (2016) [C1]
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd The influence of atmospheric conditions on the corrosion of steel and its associated microbial community was studied. Surface analysis revealed greater localiz... [more]
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd The influence of atmospheric conditions on the corrosion of steel and its associated microbial community was studied. Surface analysis revealed greater localized corrosion in steel exposed to near-ocean atmospheres with high chloride deposition compared to inland and subalpine sites. High-throughput sequencing analysis of corrosion products showed that dissimilar microbial communities and dominant species were deposited on steel in the different atmospheres. Close to the ocean, Brevundimonas diminuta were predominant whereas Clostridium and Pseudomonas species dominated for inland sites with agricultural or forestry activities. Bacillus and Enterococcus were dominant for sites close to a fertilizer plant and a sewage treatment plant, respectively. Actinobacteria species dominated at sub-alpine conditions. Results from this study indicate that microbial communities on corroding steel exposed to atmospheric conditions are the result of deposition of locally-generated aerosols. Acid-producing activity and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production was widespread and rapidly detected in microbial cultures from all the exposure sites. Sulphate-reducing bacteria were not detected in this study. These results suggest that acid production and EPS synthesis can be important mechanisms for microbial corrosion of steel under atmospheric conditions.
10.1016/j.ibiod.2016.06.015
2016 Dockrill B, Melchers R, Ellasson B, Linton S, Herron C, 'Structural risk assessment of corroding infrastructure', Corrosion and Materials, 41 66-71 (2016)
2016 Melchers RE, Herron C, Emslie R, 'Long term marine corrosion of cast iron bridge piers', Corrosion Engineering Science and Technology, 51 248-255 (2016) [C1]
© 2016 Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. Cast iron piers of a disused 90 year old multispan railway bridge located close to the Pacific Ocean were extensively sampled f... [more]
© 2016 Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. Cast iron piers of a disused 90 year old multispan railway bridge located close to the Pacific Ocean were extensively sampled for remaining wall thickness to determine corrosion loss and pit depth. From this, a corrosion loss model for the full 90 years was developed. In addition, the statistics for uncertainty in corrosion loss were obtained. Corrosion varied with elevation relative to mean water level and was negligible in the atmospheric zone, about 2¿3 mm in the immersion zone and 5¿6 mm in the splash and lower tidal zones. This variation is consistent with accelerated low water corrosion. It indicates that water pollution occurred sometime during the life of the bridge. Maximum pit depths were determined and analysed using extreme value statistics. The corrosion model for such long term exposure and the related statistical results are unique and important for assessment of remaining life of the many other cast iron structures still in existence in many parts of the world.
10.1179/1743278215Y.0000000049
2015 Wells T, Melchers RE, 'Modelling concrete deterioration in sewers using theory and field observations', Cement and Concrete Research, 77 82-96 (2015) [C1]
© 2015 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Abstract Samples of new and 70 year old pre-corroded OPC concrete were exposed for up to 48 months in 6 sewers throughout Australia. Corrosion lo... [more]
© 2015 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Abstract Samples of new and 70 year old pre-corroded OPC concrete were exposed for up to 48 months in 6 sewers throughout Australia. Corrosion losses at each site followed the bi-linear trend originally proposed by Wells and Melchers [1]. During an initial phase (lasting < 2 years) negligible loss of material occurs however once the surface pH = 6 losses commence and accumulate linearly at a rate that is likely to remain constant over time. Corrosion rates were found to be sensitive to humidity but insensitive to concrete alkalinity. A first pass model which predicts the rate of concrete sewer pipe corrosion from a knowledge of local average sewer gas temperature, humidity and H<inf>2</inf>S concentrations was also developed. The equation predictions were in good agreement with rates determined from field observation and historical data.
10.1016/j.cemconres.2015.07.003
2015 Melchers R, 'Corrosion research at the University of Newcastle', Corrosion and Materials, 40 42-43 (2015) [C3]
2015 Melchers RE, 'Trends in long-term corrosion of aluminium alloys in Marine, industrial and urban environments', Corrosion and Materials, 40 48-53 (2015)
2015 Melchers RE, 'Using models to interpret data for monitoring and life prediction of deteriorating infrastructure systems', Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 11 63-72 (2015) [C1]
© 2014, Taylor &amp; Francis. For environmental and for economic reasons, there is increased emphasis on extending the life of existing infrastructure and to design new infrastr... [more]
© 2014, Taylor & Francis. For environmental and for economic reasons, there is increased emphasis on extending the life of existing infrastructure and to design new infrastructure for longer, safe and effective service lives. Increasing use is being made of monitoring of performance and estimation of long-term reliability and safety, allowing also for the likelihood of long-term deterioration. To obtain optimal decision outcomes, reliance should be placed not only on data but also on accumulated scientific and engineering knowledge. In engineering, this is embodied in mathematical models. Ideally, these are of good quality, calibrated to ¿real world¿ data and have prediction capabilities. Recently, developed models of this type are described for the corrosion of steel in marine environments and simplified to models suitable for engineering applications. An example is given of the prediction of the expected corrosion loss and of the likely future rate of corrosion for a mild steel structural element exposed to temperate seawater.
2015 Chaves IA, Jeffrey R, Melchers RE, 'Technical note: Rust removal from steel coupons after short-term marine immersion', Corrosion, 71 811-818 (2015) [C1]
© 2015, NACE International. The quantification of mass loss, surface topography, depth of pitting, and localized corrosion for steels subject to marine corrosion requires the remo... [more]
© 2015, NACE International. The quantification of mass loss, surface topography, depth of pitting, and localized corrosion for steels subject to marine corrosion requires the removal of rusts, preferably without causing additional mass loss, pitting, or other damage. Conventional procedures using inhibited hydrochloric acid or Clarke's solution are shown to remove short-term marine rusts but also to cause new corrosion including pitting and related rust products. Both increase with longer exposure to the cleaning solutions. Water washing with soft water left calcareous materials on the metal surface. Ultrasonic removal did not cause additional corrosion but was effective only for very light rusts. Although relatively slow, electrolytic cleaning (electrolysis) produced clean surfaces without new corrosion.
Robert Jeffrey, Igor Chaves
2015 Melchers RE, 'Bi-modal trends in the long-term corrosion of copper and high copper alloys', Corrosion Science, 95 51-61 (2015) [C1]
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. The evolution of corrosion loss and maximum pit depth of copper and copper alloys exposed for long periods of time in natural and industrial environments is s... [more]
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. The evolution of corrosion loss and maximum pit depth of copper and copper alloys exposed for long periods of time in natural and industrial environments is shown to be more consistent with a bi-modal functional form than with the classical power law. Data from several long-term exposure test programs supports this proposition. The bi-modal behaviour signals a change from mainly cathodic oxygen reduction to a subsequent transitory corrosion process that may be modelled as involving pitting under earlier copper corrosion products. Possible reasons for some data sets showing decreasing maximum pit depths with increasing exposure time are discussed.
2015 Rajabipour A, Melchers RE, 'Application of Paris' law for estimation of hydrogen-assisted fatigue crack growth', International Journal of Fatigue, 80 357-363 (2015) [C1]
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Abstract Based on the general form of Paris&apos; law a new method is proposed for estimating the rate of cracking of metals under Hydrogen-Assisted Fatigue. ... [more]
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Abstract Based on the general form of Paris' law a new method is proposed for estimating the rate of cracking of metals under Hydrogen-Assisted Fatigue. It is based on relating the fatigue crack growth rate of hydrogen embrittled metal to the fatigue crack growth rate of the metal without hydrogen embrittlement. One-dimensional hydrogen diffusion is assumed. Simulations using the proposed method on steel types X52, X70-80 and X80 are in agreement with published experimental tests results. The new method obviates numerical modelling of crack propagation and much reduces the computational costs.
2015 Lotfollahi Yaghin A, Melchers RE, 'Long-term inter-link wear of model mooring chains', Marine Structures, 44 61-84 (2015) [C1]
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Chains usually form the upper part of moorings systems used for maritime structures such as floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, increas... [more]
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Chains usually form the upper part of moorings systems used for maritime structures such as floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, increasingly employed in the offshore oil and gas industry particularly in very deep waters. Current design rules do not differentiate between corrosion and inter-link wear. Laboratory experiments are described to determine the rate of wear of model (i.e. small-scale) mooring chains for up to 200,000 wear cycles. Various axial loadings and specific angular displacement were used with testing under either dry or wet conditions and for un-corroded and corroded chain. The results show that tensile force has a significant but non-linear effect on the inter-link wear. The amount of wear is similar for un-corroded and for corroded chains and is lower in wet conditions.
10.1016/j.marstruc.2015.08.001
2015 Melchers RE, 'Time Dependent Development of Aluminium Pitting Corrosion', Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, 2015 (2015) [C1]
© 2015 Robert E. Melchers. Aluminium alloys have excellent corrosion resistance to a wide variety of exposure conditions. Usually they corrode by pitting rather than by uniform co... [more]
© 2015 Robert E. Melchers. Aluminium alloys have excellent corrosion resistance to a wide variety of exposure conditions. Usually they corrode by pitting rather than by uniform corrosion. For infrastructure applications long-term corrosion behaviour is of interest. The relatively limited long-term pitting data that is available shows that maximum and average pit depths do not follow the power law function as conventionally assumed but tend to follow a bimodal trend with exposure time. This is consistent with the bimodal trends observed previously for corrosion mass loss of aluminium alloys. Most likely it is the result of the accumulation of corrosion products over the pit mouths, leading to the gradual development of localised anoxic conditions within pits. In turn this permits the development within the pits of anoxic autocatalytic conditions, consistent with established theory for pitting corrosion of aluminium. It also is consistent with observations of hydrogen evolution from pits. The implications of this for practical applications are discussed.
2015 Rajabipour A, Melchers RE, 'Capacity of pitting corroded pipes under hydrogen assisted cracking', International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 40 9388-9399 (2015) [C1]
2015 Melchers RE, 'Effect of water nutrient pollution on long-term corrosion of 90:10 copper nickel alloy', Materials, 8 8047-8058 (2015) [C1]
© 2015 by the authors. Due to their good corrosion resistance, copper and copper alloys such as 90:10 Cu-Ni are used extensively in high-quality marine and industrial piping syste... [more]
© 2015 by the authors. Due to their good corrosion resistance, copper and copper alloys such as 90:10 Cu-Ni are used extensively in high-quality marine and industrial piping systems and also in marine, urban, and industrial environments. Their corrosion loss and pitting behaviour tends to follow a bi-modal trend rather than the classic power law. Field data for 90:10 copper nickel immersed in natural seawater are used to explore the effect of water pollution and in particular the availability of critical nutrients for microbiologically induced corrosion. It is shown, qualitatively, that increased dissolved inorganic nitrogen increases corrosion predominantly in the second, long-term, mode of the model. Other, less pronounced, influences are salinity and dissolved oxygen concentration.
10.3390/ma8125443
2014 Melchers RE, 'Microbiological and abiotic processes in modelling longer-term marine corrosion of steel', Bioelectrochemistry, 97 89-96 (2014) [C1]
10.1016/j.bioelechem.2013.07.002
2014 Wells T, Melchers RE, 'An observation-based model for corrosion of concrete sewers under aggressive conditions', CEMENT AND CONCRETE RESEARCH, 61-62 1-10 (2014) [C1]
2014 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'Long-term corrosion of mild steel in natural and uv-treated coastal seawater', Corrosion, 70 804-818 (2014) [C1]
Highly polished coupons (25 by 25 by 1.5 mm) sourced from the same steel sheet were continuously immersion-exposed either to natural coastal seawater or to seawater from the same ... [more]
Highly polished coupons (25 by 25 by 1.5 mm) sourced from the same steel sheet were continuously immersion-exposed either to natural coastal seawater or to seawater from the same source subjected to filtration and UV irradiation to eliminate microbiologically influenced corrosion as much as possible. This was continued for 943 days (2.6 years). Dissolved oxygen levels were very similar in both environments. On average the UV-treated seawater was 2°C warmer, but all coupons exposed to it showed less localized corrosion than those exposed to natural seawater. The typical topographical difference was about 60% as measured by surface roughness parameter Sa. Mass losses in UV-treated seawater were about 10% higher than in natural seawater, but after temperature correction were similar to natural seawater for the first year and tended to be lower subsequently. At all exposure periods the rusts in UV-treated seawater were less voluminous than the rusts in natural seawater. Eventually they also contained a higher proportion of magnetite. © 2014, NACE International.
2014 Melchers RE, 'Long-term immersion corrosion of steels in seawaters with elevated nutrient concentration', Corrosion Science, (2014) [C1]
Data from a variety of field exposure programs is used to quantify the effect of concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) on long-term seawater immersion corrosion loss... [more]
Data from a variety of field exposure programs is used to quantify the effect of concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) on long-term seawater immersion corrosion loss of structural steels. A linear correlation model that asymptotes the long-term part of the previously proposed bi-modal corrosion loss model is used. It allows for average seawater temperature. Model parameters and their variability are determined and reported. The model permits prediction of long-term corrosion loss in nutrient polluted waters of known average temperature. An example shows that anthropological pollution of seawater potentially is a major hazard for corrosion of steel infrastructure. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
2014 Chaves IA, Melchers RE, 'Extreme value analysis for assessing structural reliability of welded offshore steel structures', Structural Safety, 50 9-15 (2014) [C1]
Natural deterioration of mild steel exposed to marine environment compromises the long-term integrity, serviceability and safety of new and existing infrastructure and increases t... [more]
Natural deterioration of mild steel exposed to marine environment compromises the long-term integrity, serviceability and safety of new and existing infrastructure and increases the risk of structural failure. Welded structures are known to be prone to even higher risks as a result of adverse effects of pitting corrosion in weld-heated areas. A bi-modal model has been shown recently to be a better description for the long-term development of the maximum depth of pits. Also, the statistics of pit depth have been shown to be better represented, for long term exposures, by the Frechet extreme value distribution. Both new developments present challenges for structural reliability analysis. Herein a linearization is used to represent long-term development of pit depth. It is shown that data for maximum pit depths can be separated into those with Gumbel statistics and those for which a Frechet distribution is more appropriate. An example is given for the reliability analysis of a welded pipeline subjected to localized corrosion. The effect of random variable uncertainty is assessed using a sensitivity study. Results show the considerable influence on the probability of failure of pit diameter and the parameters describing the pitting corrosion model. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.
2014 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, Usher KM, 'Localized corrosion of steel sheet piling', Corrosion Science, 79 139-147 (2014) [C1]
When steel sheet piling suffers accelerated low water corrosion the webs and flange-web regions of individual piles often perforate first, for reasons not fully understood. To inv... [more]
When steel sheet piling suffers accelerated low water corrosion the webs and flange-web regions of individual piles often perforate first, for reasons not fully understood. To investigate this, samples of the cross-sections of typical U and Z profile sheet piling were exposed to natural seawater for 1, 2 and 3. years. They showed localized corrosion in the central region and also near the flange-web junctions. These locations were found to have more material defects and segregation and show composition differences. It is proposed these observations are linked to localized sheet pile perforation after long exposure to seawater. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
2014 Melchers RE, 'Bi-modal trend in the long-term corrosion of aluminium alloys', Corrosion Science, 82 239-247 (2014) [C1]
A wide range of literature data including in situ immersion, tidal, coastal atmospheric and industrial exposures is used to show that the trend for longer term corrosion of alumin... [more]
A wide range of literature data including in situ immersion, tidal, coastal atmospheric and industrial exposures is used to show that the trend for longer term corrosion of aluminium alloys is nearly always more consistent with a bi-modal model than with the classical power-law function. It is proposed the bi-modal characteristic results from the accumulation of corrosion products causing localised anoxic conditions. These permit a change from predominantly cathodic oxygen reduction to hydrogen ion reduction under anoxic autocatalytic conditions within pits. This mechanism is consistent with established theory for pitting corrosion in aluminium. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.
2014 Chaves IA, Melchers RE, 'External Corrosion of Carbon Steel Pipeline Weld Zones', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OFFSHORE AND POLAR ENGINEERING, 24 68-74 (2014) [C1]
Web of Science - 1
2014 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'Corrosion of steel piling in seawater harbours', Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Maritime Engineering, 167 159-172 (2014) [C1]
© 2014, (publisher). All rights reserved. Unexpectedly high levels of corrosion of sheet and other steel piling were observed in UK harbours during the 1980s, and a phenomenon ter... [more]
© 2014, (publisher). All rights reserved. Unexpectedly high levels of corrosion of sheet and other steel piling were observed in UK harbours during the 1980s, and a phenomenon termed ¿accelerated low water corrosion¿ (ALWC) caused considerable concern about the structural safety of harbour quays and facilities. This paper shows that the severity of corrosion of steel piling both in the tidal zone and in the immersion zone is correlated with the concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in the local seawater. In the lower tidal zone this is consistent with the thinning of piles associated with ALWC. Previously it has been shown that in the horizontal direction the ALWC phenomenon is associated with material variability. Models are developed to allow the prediction of expected average corrosion loss both in the immersion zone and for the lower tidal zone (the ALWC effect) as a function of DIN, water temperature and exposure period. Data are presented to show the relatively low beneficial effect of changes in steel composition. It is concluded that for long-term protection against corrosion reliance must be placed on protective and preventive measures.
10.1680/maen.13.00011
2013 Melchers RE, Rootsey R, Stuetz R, Keller J, Yuan Z, 'Taking control of odours and corrosion in sewers', Water: Journal of the Australian Water Association, 40 89-94 (2013) [C3]
2013 Melchers RE, 'Influence of dissolved inorganic nitrogen on accelerated low water corrosion of marine steel piling', Corrosion, 69 95-103 (2013) [C1]
Accelerated low water corrosion (ALWC) is the term given to unusually high levels of corrosion immediately below the low water level in seawater exposures of steel piling. It has ... [more]
Accelerated low water corrosion (ALWC) is the term given to unusually high levels of corrosion immediately below the low water level in seawater exposures of steel piling. It has been associated with microbiologically influenced corrosion but conclusive evidence is lacking. Using published data for the corrosion of steel piles exposed for periods up to 27 years at various U.S. harbor and other locations, it is shown that the severity of ALWC is correlated with the concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen, a critical nutrient for microbiological (bacterial) activity in seawater. This was shown previously for short-term exposures and establishes that ALWC is indeed microbiologically influenced. It also provides a means of assessing the likelihood of long-term risk of occurrence of ALWC. © 2013, NACE International.
2013 Melchers RE, 'Long-term corrosion of cast irons and steel in marine and atmospheric environments', CORROSION SCIENCE, 68 186-194 (2013) [C1]
2013 Rajabipour A, Melchers RE, 'A numerical study of damage caused by combined pitting corrosion and axial stress in steel pipes', CORROSION SCIENCE, 76 292-301 (2013) [C1]
2013 Pape TM, Melchers RE, 'Performance of 45-year-old corroded prestressed concrete beams', PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS-STRUCTURES AND BUILDINGS, 166 547-559 (2013) [C1]
10.1680/stbu.11.00016
2013 Melchers RE, 'Human intervention and the safety of complex structural systems', Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, 30 211-220 (2013) [C1]
Structural reliability theory based on probability provides a systematic, logical and consistent means to make estimates of the safety of complex structural systems. However, its ... [more]
Structural reliability theory based on probability provides a systematic, logical and consistent means to make estimates of the safety of complex structural systems. However, its application currently leaves it open to criticism that its predictions do not necessarily compare with reality and with accepted risk criteria in other contexts. Herein, it is proposed that this is because applications have not dealt satisfactorily with the issues of human error and particularly human intervention in the management of loads and resistances. Probability-based models for loads can be modified to include the influence of human intervention such as through including the effect of the degree of enforcement of regulatory requirements. Similarly, the standard of enforcement of minimum standards of material quality should be added to probability-based models for resistances. This is relevant particularly for the assessment and prediction of the future reliability and safety of existing structures. © 2013 © 2013 Taylor & Francis.
2013 Melchers RE, Chernov BB, 'Corrosion of mild steel in elevated temperature hard freshwater', CORROSION ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 48 130-135 (2013) [C1]
2013 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'Accelerated low water corrosion of steel piling in harbours', CORROSION ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 48 496-505 (2013) [C1]
2013 Chaves IA, Melchers RE, 'Long term localised corrosion of marine steel piling welds', Corrosion Engineering Science and Technology, 48 469-474 (2013) [C1]
Localised or pitting corrosion can be detrimental for steel pipes and containment structures, since wall perforation may cause system failure. Herein maximum pit depth quantificat... [more]
Localised or pitting corrosion can be detrimental for steel pipes and containment structures, since wall perforation may cause system failure. Herein maximum pit depth quantification and its development with time are considered for samples taken from longitudinal welds on 33-year-old tubulars exposed in Newcastle Harbour. Relationships between pit depth and material metallurgy and corrosion properties were investigated by means of standard macro-etching, rest potential and zero resistance ammetry techniques. It is considered that the observed results are the result of the lack of homogeneity at the corrosion interface caused by differences in grain size, grain structure and the potential for pitting to occur preferentially along boundaries. The results are compared to measurements for longitudinal welds obtained previously on samples of API X56 Spec 5L pipe exposed in similar waters for up to 3?5 years, showing a reasonable degree of consistency between the two sets of data. The reasons for this are discussed. © 2013 Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.
2013 Melchers R, 'Preface', Australian Journal of Structural Engineering, 14 (2013)
2012 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'Corrosion of long vertical steel strips in the marine tidal zone and implications for ALWC', Corrosion Science, 65 26-36 (2012) [C1]
2012 Melchers RE, 'Modeling and prediction of long-term corrosion of steel in marine environments', International Journal of Offshore and Polar Engineering, 22 257-263 (2012) [C1]
2011 Pape TM, Melchers RE, 'The effects of corrosion on 45-year-old pre-stressed concrete bridge beams', Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 7 101-108 (2011) [C1]
2011 Chaves IA, Melchers RE, 'Pitting corrosion in pipeline steel weld zones', Corrosion Science, 53 4026-4032 (2011) [C1]
2011 Melchers R, 'Discussion on the "Investigation of the Failure of the Newcastle Workers Club" by RE Melchers REPLY', AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING, 12 182-183 (2011)
2011 Melchers RE, 'Investigation of the failure of the Newcastle Workers Club', Australian Journal of Structural Engineering, 11 163-176 (2011) [C1]
2011 Melchers RE, Pape T, 'Aspects of long-term durability of reinforced concrete structures in marine environments', European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, 15 969-980 (2011)
Much concern exists about the apparently short durability of reinforced concrete structures in marine environments. However, there are many examples of structures that have surviv... [more]
Much concern exists about the apparently short durability of reinforced concrete structures in marine environments. However, there are many examples of structures that have survived for long periods of time with little evidence of reinforcement corrosion. Some of these were made with seawater as mixing water. Others had very little concrete cover. Detailed examination has revealed that reinforced concrete structures made with fine or coarse aggregate consisting of calcium carbonates such as limestone or seashells or with non-reactive dolomite have extended times to commencement of corrosion initiation and to active corrosion. The reasons for this are explored herein. In addition it is shown that some structures can have serious localized reinforcement corrosion without obvious exterior signs such as concrete cracking and delamination. This requires urgent research. © 2011 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
2010 Melchers RE, 'Estimating uncertainty in maximum pit depth from limited observational data', Corrosion Engineering Science and Technology, 45 240-248 (2010) [C1]
10.1179/147842209X12489567719581
2010 Melchers RE, 'Transient early and longer term influence of bacteria on marine corrosion of steel', Corrosion Engineering Science and Technology, 45 257-261 (2010) [C1]
10.1179/174327809X397857
2010 Melchers RE, Paik JK, 'Effect of flexure on rusting of ship's steel plating', Ships and Offshore Structures, 5 25-31 (2010) [C1]
2010 Melchers RE, Chernov BB, 'Corrosion loss of mild steel in high temperature hard freshwater', Corrosion Science, 52 449-454 (2010) [C1]
2010 Melchers RE, Ahammed M, Jeffrey RJ, Simundic G, 'Statistical characterization of surfaces of corroded steel plates', Marine Structures, 23 274-287 (2010) [C1]
Mukshed Ahammed, Goran Simundic, Robert Jeffrey
2010 Melchers RE, 'Carbonates, carbonation and the durability of reinforced concrete marine structures', Australian Journal of Structural Engineering, 10 215-226 (2010) [C1]
2009 Melchers RE, 'Validity and quality of deterioration models for structural reliability assessment', Structural Longevity, 1 17-36 (2009) [C1]
10.3970/sl.2009.001.017
2009 Melchers RE, Li CQ, 'Reinforcement corrosion initiation and activation times in concrete structures exposed to severe marine environments', Cement and Concrete Research, 39 1068-1076 (2009) [C1]
2009 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Effect of vertical length on corrosion of steel in the tidal zone', Corrosion, 65 695-702 (2009) [C1]
2009 Melchers RE, Li CQ, 'Reinforcement corrosion in concrete exposed to the North Sea for more than 60 years', Corrosion, 65 554-566 (2009) [C1]
2009 Melchers RE, Paik JK, 'Effect of tensile strain on the rate of marine corrosion of steel plates', Corrosion Science, 51 2298-2303 (2009) [C1]
2009 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Corrosion of vertical mild steel strips in seawater', Corrosion Science, 51 2291-2297 (2009) [C1]
2009 Melchers RE, Li CQ, Davison MA, 'Observations and analysis of a 63-year-old reinforced concrete promenade railing exposed to the North Sea', Magazine of Concrete Research, 61 233-243 (2009) [C1]
10.1680/macr.2007.00093
2009 Ahammed M, Melchers RE, 'A convenient approach for estimating time-dependent structural reliability in the load space', Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, 24 467-472 (2009) [C1]
10.1016/j.probengmech.2009.01.003
Mukshed Ahammed
2009 Melchers RE, 'Long-term corrosion of steels exposed to marine environments', European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering, 13 527-546 (2009)
This paper presents an overview of the principal features of the recently developed model for the short and the long-term marine corrosion of steels. In marine environments such a... [more]
This paper presents an overview of the principal features of the recently developed model for the short and the long-term marine corrosion of steels. In marine environments such as immersion, tidal and coastal atmospheric, chlorides conventionally are considered to play a major role in causing corrosion loss. The actual corrosion process is considerably more complex and besides oxidation by dissolved or atmospheric oxygen there is an important influence from the metabolic products of sulphate-reducing bacteria. The model also deals with temperature, oxygen availability, pollution and various other influences. Although the fundamental corrosion processes are all electrochemical in nature, the model does not deal specifically with these. Instead the model is built around the governing corrosion-rate controlling processes. For engineering purposes the rate of loss of material is the critical issue. The main emphasis is on the behaviour of structural and other low alloy steels. The paper closes with some observations about the applicability of the model to stainless and weathering steels and its recent extension to reinforcement corrosion in concrete structures. © 2009 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
2008 Melchers RE, 'Rejoinder', Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, 25 71-76 (2008) [C3]
2008 Melchers RE, 'Development of new applied models for steel corrosion in marine applications including shipping', Ships and Offshore Structures, 3 135-144 (2008) [C1]
2008 Paik JK, Thayamballi AK, Melchers RE, 'Some recent developments in corrosion assessment and management for steel ships and offshore structures', Marine Technology and SNAME News, 45 94-100 (2008) [C1]
2008 Paik JK, Melchers RE, 'Preface', Condition Assessment of Aged Structures, (2008)
10.1016/B978-1-84569-334-3.50021-8
2008 Melchers RE, 'Extreme value statistics and long-term marine pitting corrosion of steel', Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, 23 482-488 (2008) [C1]
2008 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'Modeling of long-term corrosion loss and pitting for chromium-bearing and stainless steels in seawater', Corrosion, 64 143-154 (2008) [C1]
2008 Melchers RE, 'Discussion on 'Stochastic modeling of pitting corrosion: A new model for initiation and growth of multiple pits'', Corrosion Science, 50 1518-1519 (2008) [C3]
2008 Gudze MT, Melchers RE, 'Operational based corrosion analysis in naval ships', Corrosion Science, 50 3296-3307 (2008) [C1]
2008 Melchers RE, 'A new interpretation of the corrosion loss processes for weathering steels in marine atmospheres', Corrosion Science, 50 3446-3454 (2008) [C1]
2008 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'The critical involvement of anaerobic bacterial activity in modelling the corrosion behaviour of mild steel in marine environments', Electrochimica Acta, 54 80-85 (2008) [C1]
10.1016/j.electacta.2008.02.107
2008 Melchers RE, Li CQ, Lawanwisut W, 'Probabilistic modeling of structural deterioration of reinforced concrete beams under saline environment corrosion', Structural Safety, 30 447-460 (2008) [C1]
2008 Li C-Q, Yang Y, Melchers RE, 'Prediction of reinforcement corrosion in concrete and its effects on concrete cracking and strength reduction', ACI Materials Journal, 105 3-10 (2008) [C1]
2008 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'Probablistic models for steel corrosion loss and pitting of marine infrastructure', Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 93 423-432 (2008) [C1]
2008 Melchers RE, Frangopol DM, 'Probabilistic modelling of structural degradation', Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 93 363 (2008) [C3]
2008 Brown CB, Elms DG, Melchers RE, 'Assessing and achieving structural safety', Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Structures and Buildings, 161 219-230 (2008) [C1]
10.1680/stbu.2008.161.4.219
2007 Li CQ, Zheng JJ, Lawanwisut W, Melchers RE, 'Concrete delamination caused by steel reinforcement corrosion', Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 19 591-600 (2007) [C1]
10.1061/(asce)0899-1561(2007)19:7(591)
2007 Melchers RE, Moan T, Gao Z, 'Corrosion of working chains continuously immersed in seawater', Journal of Marine Science and Technology, 12 102-110 (2007) [C1]
2007 Melchers RE, 'Structural reliability theory in the context of structural safety', Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, 24 55-69 (2007) [C1]
2007 Melchers RE, 'Development of new applied models for steel corrosion in marine applications including shipping', 10th International Symposium on Practical Design of Ships and other Floating Structures, PRADS 2007, 2 919-927 (2007)
Models for the prediction of corrosion mostly give the misleading impression that corrosion of steel in seawater environments is a linear function of time (the &apos;corrosion rat... [more]
Models for the prediction of corrosion mostly give the misleading impression that corrosion of steel in seawater environments is a linear function of time (the 'corrosion rate'). Non-linear functions have been proposed also, These have been calibrated to aggregated data from a wide variety of sources. This produces predictions with wide uncertainty and it is difficult to make assessments of the effect of steel composition and environmental influences. Recent research has produced a model based on the fundamental characteristics of steel corrosion, including the effect of biological influences. Detailed investigations show that the process controlling the (instantaneous) rate of corrosion changes as corrosion progresses. This is represented as a sequence of phases for which fundamental theoretical justifications and mathematical relationships have been derived. To ensure the model has practical validity it has been calibrated to actual field observations rather than laboratory data. Research findings for the effect of water temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, nutrient pollution, depth, water velocity, water salinity and steel composition are reviewed briefly. Some observations about applications and research directions are given. © 2007 American Bureau of Shipping.
2007 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Influence of migration of iron particles, ions and compounds during long term marine immersion corrosion', Corrosion Engineering Science and Technology, 42 145-151 (2007) [C1]
2007 Gudze MT, Melchers RE, 'Prediction of naval ship ballast tank corrosion using operational profiles', Transactions of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects Part A: International Journal of Maritime Engineering, 149 51-53 (2007) [C3]
2007 Melchers RE, 'Influence of Seawater nutrient content on the early immersion corrosion of mild steel - Part 1: Empirical observations', Corrosion, 63 318-329 (2007) [C1]
2007 Melchers RE, 'Transition from marine immersion to coastal atmospheric corrosion for structural steels', Corrosion, 63 500-514 (2007) [C1]
2007 Melchers RE, 'Influence of seawater nutrient content on the early immersion corrosion of mild steel - Part 2: The role of biofilms and sulfate-reducing bacteria', Corrosion, 63 405-415 (2007) [C1]
2007 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Effect of orientation and shielding in the early corrosion of mild steel in tidal marine conditions', Corrosion, 63 872-879 (2007) [C1]
2007 Melchers RE, 'Discussion: Statistical characterization of pitting corrosion - Part 1: Data analysis and part 2: Probabilistic modeling for maximum pit depth', Corrosion, 63 112-113 (2007) [C1]
2007 Melchers RE, 'The effects of water pollution on the immersion corrosion of mild and low alloy steels', Corrosion Science, 49 3149-3167 (2007) [C1]
2007 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'The changing topography of corroding mild steel surfaces in seawater', Corrosion Science, 49 2270-2288 (2007) [C1]
2006 Melchers RE, Li CQ, Lawanwisut W, 'Modelling deterioration of structural behaviour of reinforced concrete beams under saline environment corrosion', Magazine of Concrete Research, 58 575-587 (2006) [C1]
10.1680/macr.2006.58.9.575
2006 Li CQ, Melchers RE, 'Time-dependent serviceability of corrosion-affected concrete structures', Magazine of Concrete Research, 58 567-574 (2006) [C1]
2006 Melchers RE, Paik JK, 'Discussion: non-linear corrosion model for immersed steel plates', Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers Transactions, 323-325 (2006) [C1]
2006 Guedes Soares C, Garbatov Y, Zayed A, Wang G, Melchers RE, Paik JK, Cui W, 'Non-linear corrosion model for immersed steel plates accounting for environmental factors', Transactions - Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, 113 306-329 (2006)
The effects of different marine environmental factors on the corrosion behavior of steel plates totally immersed in salt water are studied. A new corrosion wastage model is propos... [more]
The effects of different marine environmental factors on the corrosion behavior of steel plates totally immersed in salt water are studied. A new corrosion wastage model is proposed, based on a non-linear time-dependent function. This model accounts for the effects of various environmental factors, including salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and flow velocity. A numerical example is illustrated for ships trading in different routes in the Pacific Ocean.
2006 Fathi M, Daneshjoo F, Melchers RE, 'A method for determining the behaviour factor of moment-resisting steel frames with semi-rigid connections', Engineering Structures, 28 514-531 (2006) [C1]
10.1016/j.engstruct.2005.09.006
2006 Moareftadeh MR, Melchers RE, 'Nonlinear wave theory in reliability analysis of offshore structures', Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, 21 99-111 (2006) [C1]
2006 Gray WA, Melchers RE, 'Modifications to the 'directional simulation in the load space' approach to structural reliability analysis', Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, 21 148-158 (2006) [C1]
2006 Gray WA, Melchers RE, 'Load combination analysis by 'Directional simulation in the load space'', Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, 21 159-170 (2006) [C1]
2006 Melchers RE, Li CQ, 'Phenomenological modeling-of reinforcement corrosion in marine environments', ACI Materials Journal, 103 25-32 (2006) [C1]
2006 Li CQ, Melchers RE, Zheng JJ, 'Analytical model for corrosion-induced crack width in reinforced concrete structures', ACI Structural Journal, 103 479-487 (2006) [C1]
Scopus - 134Web of Science - 107
2006 Ahammed M, Melchers RE, 'Gradient and parameter sensitivity estimation for systems evaluated using Monte Carlo analysis', Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 91 594-601 (2006) [C1]
2006 Melchers RE, 'The corrosion in seawater of structural steels in infrastructure applications', Australian Journal of Structural Engineering, 6 159-168 (2006) [C1]
2006 Melchers RE, Ahammed M, 'Statistical characterization of corroded steel plate surfaces', Advances in Structural Engineering, 9 83-90 (2006) [C1]
10.1260/136943306776232828
2006 Melchers RE, 'Examples of mathematical modelling of long term general corrosion of structural steels in sea water', Corrosion Engineering Science and Technology, 41 38-44 (2006) [C1]
10.1179/174327806X93992
2006 Gudze MT, Melchers RE, 'Prediction of naval ship ballast tank corrosion using operational profiles', International Journal of Maritime Engineering, 148 77-86 (2006) [C1]
2006 Melchers RE, 'The marine corrosion of structural steels in brackish and fresh waters', Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 2 53-61 (2006) [C1]
2006 Melchers RE, Jiang X, 'Estimation of models for durability of epoxy coatings in water ballast tanks', Ships and Offshore Structures, 1 61-70 (2006) [C1]
10.1533/saos.2004.0006
2006 Melchers RE, 'Mathematical and probabilistic modelling of material deterioration with application to pitting corrosion in structural steel applications', Journal of Reliability of Structures and Materials, 2 1-8 (2006) [C1]
2006 Melchers RE, 'Recent progress in the modeling of corrosion of structural steel immersed in seawaters', Journal of Infrastructure Systems, 12 154-162 (2006) [C1]
2006 Melchers RE, 'Pitting corrosion of mild steel under marine anaerobic conditions - Part 1: Experimental observations', Corrosion, 62 981-988 (2006) [C1]
2006 Melchers RE, 'Pitting corrosion of mild steel under marine anaerobic conditions - Part 2: Statistical representation of maximum pit depth', Corrosion, 62 1074-1081 (2006) [C1]
2006 Melchers RE, 'Modelling immersion corrosion of structural steels in natural fresh and brackish waters', Corrosion Science, 48 4174-4201 (2006) [C1]
2006 Melchers RE, Wells PA, 'Models for the anaerobic phases of marine immersion corrosion', Corrosion Science, 48 1791-1811 (2006) [C1]
2005 Melchers RE, 'Effect of alloying on maximum depth of pits in mild steel in marine immersion environments', Corrosion, 61 355-363 (2005) [C1]
2005 Melchers RE, 'Effect of nutrient-based water pollution on the corrosion of mild steel in marine immersion conditions', Corrosion, 61 237-245 (2005) [C1]
2005 Melchers RE, 'Statistical characterization of pitting corrosion - Part 1: Data analysis', Corrosion, 61 655-664 (2005) [C1]
2005 Melchers RE, 'Statistical characterization of pitting corrosion - Part 2: Probabilistic modeling for maximum pit depth', Corrosion, 61 766-777 (2005) [C1]
2005 Melchers RE, 'Effect Of Immersion Depth On Marine Corrosion Of Mild Steel', Corrosion, 61 895-906 (2005) [C1]
2005 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'Early corrosion of mild steel in seawater', Corrosion Science, 47 1678-1693 (2005) [C1]
Scopus - 117Web of Science - 85
2005 Melchers RE, 'The effect of corrosion on the structural reliability of steel offshore structures', Corrosion Science, 47 2391-2410 (2005) [C1]
2005 Melchers RE, 'Representation of uncertainty in maximum depth of marine corrosion pits', Structural Safety, 27 322-334 (2005) [C1]
2005 Beck AT, Melchers RE, 'Barrier failure dominance in time variant reliability analysis', Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, 20 79-85 (2005) [C1]
2005 Novikov A, Melchers RE, Shinjikashvili E, Kordzakhia N, 'First passage time of filtered Poisson process with exponential shape function', Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, 20 57-65 (2005) [C1]
2005 Li CQ, Melchers RE, 'Time-dependent reliability analysis of corrosion-induced concrete cracking', ACI Structural Journal, 102 543-549 (2005) [C1]
2005 Li CQ, Melchers RE, 'Time-dependent risk assessment of structural deterioration caused by reinforcement corrosion', ACI Structural Journal, 102 754-762 (2005) [C1]
2005 Li CQ, Melchers RE, Lawanwisut W, 'Vulnerability Assessment Of Corrosion-Affected Concrete Structures', Magazine Of Concrete Research, 57 557-565 (2005) [C1]
2005 Jiang X, Melchers RE, 'Reliability analysis of maintained ships under correlated fatigue and corrosion', Royal Institution of Naval Architects. Transactions. Part A. International Journal of Maritime Engineering, 147 9-18 (2005) [C1]
2005 Melchers RE, 'On extending the range of Michell-like optimal topology structures', Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 29 85-92 (2005) [C1]
10.1007/s00158-004-0469-x
2005 Khennane A, Melchers RE, 'A meso-scale finite element model for environmental stress corrosion of GFRP', 4th Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics, ACAM 2005, 573-578 (2005)
A stress corrosion model of a glass fibre is used within the framework of the finite element theory to predict the life of a unidirectional composite. The approach proposed here s... [more]
A stress corrosion model of a glass fibre is used within the framework of the finite element theory to predict the life of a unidirectional composite. The approach proposed here seeks to construct plausible models of comparative behaviour such that data and experience gained from short-term durability tests can be extrapolated and used to predict long-term behaviour. It is based on numerical simulation. Its significance comes from the fact that it makes use of the finite element method at the microstructural level. The finite element can capture reasonably well all aspects of damage mechanisms taking place in the microstructure. © Institute of Materials Engineering Australasia Ltd 2005.
2004 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'Influence Of Water Velocity On Marine Immersion Corrosion Of Mild Steel', Corrosion, Vol. 60 84-94 (2004) [C1]
2004 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'Surface 'Roughness' Effect On Marine Immersion Corrosion Of Mild Steel', Corrosion, Vol. 60 697-703 (2004) [C1]
2004 Melchers RE, 'Mathematical Modeling Of The Effect Of Water Velocity On The Marine Immersion Corrosion Of Mild Steel Coupons', Corrosion, Vol. 60 471-478 (2004) [C1]
2004 Melchers RE, 'Pitting Corrosion Of Mild Steel In Marine Immersion Environment - Part 2: Variability Of Maximum Pit Depth', Corrosion, Vol. 60 937-944 (2004) [C1]
2004 Melchers RE, 'Effect Of Small Compositional Changes On Marine Immersion Corrosion Of Low Alloy Steels', Corrosion Science, Vol. 46 1669-1691 (2004) [C1]
2004 Melchers RE, Ahammed M, 'A Fast Approximate Method For Parameter Sensitivity Estimation In Monte Carlo Structural Reliability', Computers and Structures, Vol 82 55-61 (2004) [C1]
10.1016/j.compstruc.2003.08.003
2004 Beck AT, Melchers RE, 'Overload Failure Of Structural Components Under Random Crack Propagation And Loading - A Random Process Approach', Structural Safety, Vol. 26 471-488 (2004) [C1]
2004 Beck AT, Melchers RE, 'On The Ensemble Crossing Rate Approach To Time Variant Reliability Analysis Of Uncertain Structures', Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, Vol. 19 9-19 (2004) [C1]
2004 Melchers RE, 'Pitting Corrosion Of Mild Steel In Marine Immersion Environment - Part 1: Maximum Pit Depth', Corrosion, Vol. 60 824-836 (2004) [C1]
2004 Masia MJ, Kleeman PW, Melchers RE, 'Modelling Soil/Structure Interaction For Masonry Structures', Journal of Structural Engineering, 130 641-649 (2004) [C1]
10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(2004)130:4(641)
Mark Masia
2003 Melchers RE, 'Modeling Of Marine Immersion Corrosion For Mild And Low-Alloy Steels - Part 1: Phenomological Model', Corrosion, Vol. 59 319-334 (2003) [C1]
2003 Melchers RE, 'Modeling Of Marine Immersion Corrosion For Mild And Low-Alloy Steels - Part 2: Uncertainty Estimation', Corrosion, Vol. 59 334-344 (2003) [C1]
2003 Melchers RE, 'Mathematical Modelling Of The Diffusion Controlled Phase In Marine Immersion Corrosion Of Mild Steel', Corrosion Science, Vol. 45 923-940 (2003) [C1]
2003 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Bacteriological Influence In The Development Of Iron Sulphide Species In Marine Immersion Environments', Corrosion Science, Vol. 45 693-714 (2003) [C1]
2003 Melchers RE, 'Modelling Of Marine Immersion Corrosion For Copper-Bearing Steels', Corrosion Science, Vol. 45 2307-2323 (2003) [C1]
2003 Melchers RE, 'Effect On Marine Immersion Corrosion Of Carbon Content Of Low ALlow Steels', Corrosion Science, Vol. 45 2609-2625 (2003) [C1]
2003 Melchers RE, Ahammed M, Middleton C, 'FORM For Discontinuous And Truncated Probability Density Functions', Structural Safety, Vol. 25 304-313 (2003) [C1]
2003 Khennane A, Melchers RE, 'A micromechanics model for environmental stress corrosion in GFRP', International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 19 2-14 (2003) [C1]
10.1504/IJMPT.2003.003556
2003 Melchers RE, 'Probabilistic Model For Marine Corrosion Of Steel For Structural Reliability Assessment', Journal Of Structural Engineering, Vol. 129 1484-1493 (2003) [C1]
10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(2003)129:11(1484)
2003 Melchers RE, 'Probabilistic Models For Corrosion In Structural Reliability Assessment - Part 1: Empirical Models', Journal Of Offshore Mechanics And Arctic Engineering, Vol. 125 264-271 (2003) [C1]
2003 Melchers RE, 'Probabilistic Models For Corrosion In Structural Reliability Assessment - Part 2: Models Based On Mechanics', Journal Of Offshore Mechanics And Arctic Engineering, Vol. 125 272-280 (2003) [C1]
2003 Gardiner CP, Melchers RE, 'Corrosion Analysis Of Bulk Carriers: Part 1 - Operational Parameters Influencing Corrosion Rates', Marine Structures, Vol. 16 547-566 (2003) [C1]
2003 Khennane A, Melchers RE, 'Durability Of Glass Polymer Composites Subject To Stress Corrosion', Journal Of Composites For Construction, Vol. 7 109-117 (2003) [C1]
10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0268(2003)7:2(109)
2002 Melchers RE, 'Effect Of Temperature On The Marine Immersion Corrosion Of Carbon Steels', Corrosion, Vol. 58, No. 9 768-782 (2002) [C1]
2002 Gardiner CP, Melchers RE, 'Corrosion Of Mild Steel In Porous Media', Corrosion Science, Vol. 44 2459-2478 (2002) [C1]
2002 Gardiner CP, Melchers RE, 'Corrosion Of Mild Steel By Coal And Iron Ore', Corrosion Science, Vol. 44 2665-2673 (2002) [C1]
2002 Guan X-L, Melchers RE, 'Effect Of Response Surface Parameter Variation On Structural Reliability Estimates', Structural Safety, Vol. 23 429-444 (2002) [C1]
2002 Melchers RE, 'Safety And Risk In Structural Engineering', Progress In Structural Engineering And Materials, Vol. 4 193-202 (2002) [C1]
2002 Masia MJ, Melchers RE, Kleeman PW, 'Probabilistic Crack Prediction For Masonry Structures On Expansive Soils', Journal of Structural Engineering, 128 1454-1461 (2002) [C1]
2002 Melchers RE, Ahammed M, 'Gradient Estimation For Applied Monte Carlo Analyses', Reliability Engineering And System Safety, Vol. 78 283-288 (2002) [C1]
2002 Melchers RE, 'Probabilistic Risk Assessment For Structures', Proceedings Of The Institution Of Civil Engineers: Structures And Buildings, Issue 4 351-359 (2002) [C1]
2002 Khennane A, Melchers RE, 'Stress corrosion of glass fibre reinforced polymers for infrastructure applications', Corrosion and Materials, 27 S5-S8 (2002) [C1]
2002 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Shape And Size Effects For Marine Immersion Coupons', British Corrosion Journal, Vol. 37, No. 2 99-104 (2002) [C1]
2001 Melchers RE, Soares CG, 'Special issue - Risk assessment of engineering facilities', RELIABILITY ENGINEERING & SYSTEM SAFETY, 74 225-225 (2001) [C3]
2001 Melchers RE, 'Influence of temperature on sea water immersion corrosion of aluminium', British Corrosion Journal, 36 201-204 (2001) [C1]
2001 Gardiner CP, Melchers RE, 'Enclosed atmospheric corrosion in ship spaces', British Corrosion Journal, 36 272-276 (2001) [C1]
2001 Melchers RE, 'Temperature effect on seawater immersion corrosion of 90:10 copper-nickel alloy', Corrosion, 57 440-451 (2001) [C1]
2001 Melchers RE, Ahammed M, 'Estimation of failure probabilities for intersections of non-linear limit states', Structural Safety, 23 123-135 (2001) [C1]
2001 Guan X-L, Melchers RE, 'Effects of response surface parameter variation on structural reliability estimates', Structural Safety, 23 429-444 (2001) [C1]
2001 Melchers RE, 'Assessment of Existing Structures - Approaches and Research Needs', Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol 127, No. 4 406-411 (2001) [C1]
2001 Melchers RE, Soares CG, 'Special issue - Risk assessment of engineering facilities', RELIABILITY ENGINEERING & SYSTEM SAFETY, 74 225-225 (2001)
2001 Melchers RE, 'Rational optimization of reliability and safety policies', Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 73 263-268 (2001) [C1]
2001 Melchers RE, 'On the ALARP approach to risk management', Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 71 201-208 (2001) [C1]
2001 Melchers RE, Feutrill WR, 'Risk assessment of LPG automotive refuelling facilities', Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 74 283-290 (2001) [C1]
2001 Melchers RE, 'Optimality-criteria-based probabilistic structural design', Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 23 34-39 (2001) [C1]
2000 Melchers RE, 'Discussion on 'The strategies and value of risk based structural safety analysis' - Special issue of Structural Safety, Vol. 21, No. 4, 1999', STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 22 281-286 (2000)
2000 Melchers RE, 'Discussion on 'The strategies and value of risk based structural safety analysis'', Structural Safety, Vol 22 281-286 (2000) [C1]
2000 Son KS, Melchers RE, Kal WM, 'An analysis of safety control effectiveness', Reliability Engineering & System Safety, Vol 68 187-194 (2000) [C1]
2000 Val DV, Stewart MG, Melchers RE, 'Life-cycle performance of reinforced concrete bridges: probabilistic approach', Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, 15 14-25 (2000) [C1]
2000 Melchers RE, Jefferis M, 'Australian Journal of Structural Engineering', Australian Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol. 3, Nos. 1 & 2 1-109 (2000) [C2]
1999 Melchers RE, 'Corrosion uncertainty modelling for steel structures', Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Vol. 52 3-19 (1999) [C1]
1999 Moarefzadeh MR, Melchers RE, 'Directional importance sampling for ill-proportioned spaces', STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 21 1-22 (1999)
1999 Guan X-L, Melchers RE, 'A load space formulation for probabilistic finite element analysis of structural reliability', Porbabilistic Engineering Mechanics, 14 73-81 (1999) [C1]
1999 Melchers RE, 'Research needs in structural engineering: changes and challenges', Australian Journal of Structural Engineering, 2 85-94 (1999) [C1]
1998 Val DV, Stewart MG, Melchers RE, 'Effect of reinforcement corrosion on reliability of highway bridges', Engineering Structures, Vol. 20, No.11 1010-1019 (1998) [C1]
1997 Ahammed M, Melchers RE, 'Probabilistic analysis of underground pipelines subject to combined stresses and corrosion', ENGINEERING STRUCTURES, 19 988-994 (1997)
1997 Guan XL, Melchers RE, 'Multitangent-plane surface method for reliability calculation', JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING MECHANICS-ASCE, 123 996-1002 (1997)
10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9399(1997)123:10(996)
1997 Val DV, Melchers RE, 'Reliability of deteriorating RC slab bridges', JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING-ASCE, 123 1638-1644 (1997)
1997 Melchers RE, 'Modeling of marine corrosion of steel specimens', ASTM Special Technical Publication, 1300 20-33 (1997)
Phenomenological modeling of the long term general corrosion of mild and low alloy steel specimens under marine conditions is considered, using weight loss as a function of time. ... [more]
Phenomenological modeling of the long term general corrosion of mild and low alloy steel specimens under marine conditions is considered, using weight loss as a function of time. A conceptual model for immersion corrosion, tidal corrosion and atmospheric corrosion under marine conditions is proposed. The model uses accepted theories for short term surface corrosion and employs modern understanding of the action of bacterial colonisation of the surfaces of specimens, including the development of anaerobic conditions. Kinetic, diffusion, nutrient and anaerobic components of the model are identified and mathematical descriptions given. The model is compared to some data available in the literature. Some observations are made about data requirements for further development of models of the type proposed.
1996 Frangopol DM, Melchers RE, 'Special issue on reliability-based evaluation and design of masonry, steel, and reinforced concrete structures', STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 18 65-65 (1996)
1996 Moarefzadeh MR, Melchers RE, 'Sample-specific linearization in reliability analysis of off-shore structures', STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 18 101-122 (1996)
1996 Ahammed M, Melchers RE, 'Reliability estimation of pressurised pipelines subject to localised corrosion defects', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRESSURE VESSELS AND PIPING, 69 267-272 (1996)
1996 Ahammed M, Melchers RE, 'Reliability of underground pipelines subject to corrosion - Closure', JOURNAL OF TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING-ASCE, 122 408-408 (1996)
10.1061/(ASCE)0733-947X(1996)122:5(408)
1995 MELCHERS RE, 'LOAD SPACE RELIABILITY FORMULATION FOR POISSON PULSE PROCESSES', JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING MECHANICS-ASCE, 121 779-784 (1995)
1995 AHAMMED M, MELCHERS RE, 'PROBABILISTIC ANALYSIS OF PIPELINES SUBJECTED TO PITTING CORROSION LEAKS', ENGINEERING STRUCTURES, 17 74-80 (1995)
10.1016/0141-0296(95)92637-N
1995 LI CQ, MELCHERS RE, 'FAILURE PROBABILITY OF REINFORCED-CONCRETE COLUMNS UNDER STOCHASTIC LOADS', ENGINEERING STRUCTURES, 17 419-424 (1995)
1995 CHAN HY, MELCHERS RE, 'TIME-DEPENDENT RESISTANCE DETERIORATION IN PROBABILISTIC STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS', CIVIL ENGINEERING SYSTEMS, 12 115-132 (1995)
1995 Melchers RE, Feutrill WR, 'Risk assessment for automotive LPG facilities', American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Pressure Vessels and Piping Division (Publication) PVP, 296 457-462 (1995)
Experiences are described of the use and application of quantified risk analysis (QRA) for medium size liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) facilities associated with automotive service ... [more]
Experiences are described of the use and application of quantified risk analysis (QRA) for medium size liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) facilities associated with automotive service (gas) stations in suburban and rural areas. The facilities consist primarily of one or more 7.5 kilolitre pressure vessels, pumps, pipework, dispensing facilities and various types of safety equipment. QRA was required to show compliance with recently introduced Australian national regulatory risk criteria for land use planning purposes. A description is given of the risk analysis procedure, the various hazard scenarios considered, the determination and application of appropriate data for initiating events and for rates of failure of mechanical components, the pressure vessel and various human operations. Various tests were performed to estimate matters such as flame length and flame impingement on pressure vessels. Some observations are made regarding the standard of conventional industry quantified risk analysis techniques and the way they are often applied. An area of particular concern is the use of 'conservative best estimates' widely used in the industry but inconsistent with the interpretation of risk criteria derived from expected (observed) risks.
1994 GUAN XL, MELCHERS RE, 'AN EFFICIENT FORMULATION FOR LIMIT STATE FUNCTION GRADIENT CALCULATION', COMPUTERS & STRUCTURES, 53 929-935 (1994)
1994 MELCHERS RE, LI CQ, 'A BENCHMARK STUDY ON IMPORTANCE SAMPLING TECHNIQUES IN STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY - ENGELUND,S. RACKWITZ,R. (MUNCHEN, GERMANY), STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 12(4)(1993) 255-276 - DISCUSSION', STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 14 299-302 (1994)
1994 MELCHERS RE, 'STRUCTURAL SYSTEM RELIABILITY ASSESSMENT USING DIRECTIONAL SIMULATION', STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 16 23-37 (1994)
10.1016/0167-4730(94)00026-M
1994 LI CQ, MELCHERS RE, 'RELIABILITY-ANALYSIS OF CREEP AND SHRINKAGE EFFECTS - CLOSURE', JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING-ASCE, 120 1050-1050 (1994)
10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(1994)120:3(1050.2)
1994 AHAMMED M, MELCHERS RE, 'RELIABILITY OF UNDERGROUND PIPELINES SUBJECT TO CORROSION', JOURNAL OF TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING-ASCE, 120 989-1002 (1994)
1994 Melchers RE, 'On intra-plate earthquakes and existing structures', Transactions of the Institution of Engineers, Australia. Civil engineering, CE36 265-272 (1994)
Although the risk of damage to buildings and structures and the risk of personal death and injury due to earthquakes in Australia is relatively low, the 1989 Newcastle earthquake ... [more]
Although the risk of damage to buildings and structures and the risk of personal death and injury due to earthquakes in Australia is relatively low, the 1989 Newcastle earthquake did point to the need to reexamine existing structural design and construction standards. There is a danger, however, that tough regulations will affect adversely the continued viability of existing building stock, in particular historical buildings. Commercial interests also may be affected. For buildings which have a projected life which is short relative to the recurrence rate of serious ground shaking, it is argued that the total structural life-time risk is low and might be ignored. This would appear to be the situation under Australian intra-plate earthquake conditions. The conclusion is relevant for structurally adequate existing buildings and for new buildings constructed in the first few years after the occurrence of major ground shaking.
1994 LI CW, MELCHERS RE, 'STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS RELIABILITY UNDER STOCHASTIC LOADS', PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS-STRUCTURES AND BUILDINGS, 104 251-255 (1994)
10.1680/istbu.1994.26775
1994 LI CQ, MELCHERS RE, 'STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS RELIABILITY UNDER STOCHASTIC LOADS (VOL 104, PG 251, 1994)', PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS-STRUCTURES AND BUILDINGS, 104 489-489 (1994)
1993 CHAN HY, MELCHERS RE, 'A SIMULATION METHOD FOR TIME-DEPENDENT STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY', COMPUTERS & STRUCTURES, 49 989-996 (1993)
10.1016/0045-7949(93)90010-B
1993 LI CQ, MELCHERS RE, 'GAUSSIAN UPCROSSING RATE SOLUTION FOR STRUCTURAL SERVICEABILITY', STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 12 293-303 (1993)
1993 LI CQ, MELCHERS RE, 'OUTCROSSINGS FROM CONVEX POLYHEDRA FOR NONSTATIONARY GAUSSIAN-PROCESSES', JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING MECHANICS-ASCE, 119 2354-2359 (1993)
1993 Chan HY, Melchers RE, 'Reliability of time-dependent structural systems', Proceedings of the International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering - OMAE, 2 39-46 (1993)
A corrosion process acting on an individual structural member may be modelled as a time-dependent resistance deterioration mechanism. This leads to a deteriorating structural syst... [more]
A corrosion process acting on an individual structural member may be modelled as a time-dependent resistance deterioration mechanism. This leads to a deteriorating structural system, which may be subjected to one or more stochastic load processes. When resistances are modelled as Gaussian random variables, the loads as Gaussian random processes and deterioration is considered to be a simple function of time, some progress can be made in evaluation of structural system reliability using an outcrossing formulation. This was checked using numerical integration. The results are compared to purely simulation results both for the outcrossing rate and for various sensitivity results. Good agreement is demonstrated.
1993 Melchers RE, 'Reliability and risk assessments for LPG facilities - a view of the state of the art', Proceedings of the International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering - OMAE, 2 13-19 (1993)
Quantitative risk analysis procedures increasingly are being applied to potentially hazardous industrial operations and facilities. A review of QRA analyses carried out for land-b... [more]
Quantitative risk analysis procedures increasingly are being applied to potentially hazardous industrial operations and facilities. A review of QRA analyses carried out for land-based LPG facilities has shown that the failure probabilities obtained for specific events may differ considerably between risk analyses and between analists. The present paper reviews possible reasons for the disparities and what might be done to produce more consistent results. It is necessary that the limitations of current QRA techniques be recognized and be made known. This is important because there is a distinct danger that quantified risk analysis in general may be discredited as a result of unfavourable experiences by industry, decision-makers and legislators. This may have implications also for the offshore industry.
1992 MELCHERS RE, 'COLUMN-BASE RESPONSE UNDER APPLIED MOMENT', JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTIONAL STEEL RESEARCH, 23 127-143 (1992)
10.1016/0143-974X(92)90040-L
1992 Melchers RE, 'Rotational stiffness of shallow footings', Computers and Geotechnics, 13 21-35 (1992)
The details of footing design, the soil stiffness and the soil resistance all affect the rotation characteristics of column bases of structural frames. This can have a considerabl... [more]
The details of footing design, the soil stiffness and the soil resistance all affect the rotation characteristics of column bases of structural frames. This can have a considerable influence on structural economics (strength design), structural deflections (serviceability design) and on structural stability. Of particular and increasing importance in structural design is the ability to predict structural deformations under serviceability load level conditions. However, only limited theoretical and experimental attention has been given to understanding the footing-soil interface behaviour of shallow footings for realistic foundation conditions. In this paper, a set of experimental results for shallow footing behaviour under load reversal is presented. Based on this work and on previous modelling attempts, a relatively simple theoretical model for predicting rotation behaviour of simple pad footings under the first loading condition is described. © 1992.
10.1016/0266-352X(92)90009-I
1992 MELCHERS RE, 'LOAD-SPACE FORMULATION FOR TIME-DEPENDENT STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY', JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING MECHANICS-ASCE, 118 853-870 (1992)
1992 LI CQ, MELCHERS RE, 'RELIABILITY-ANALYSIS OF CREEP AND SHRINKAGE EFFECTS', JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING-ASCE, 118 2323-2337 (1992)
10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(1992)118:9(2323)
1992 Melchers RE, 'On earthquake design standards for Australia', Transactions of the Institution of Engineers, Australia. Civil engineering, CE34 63-71 (1992)
The setting of structural engineering design standards for earthquakes in Australia is particularly difficult. The country lies within a ``continental&apos;&apos; plate and eviden... [more]
The setting of structural engineering design standards for earthquakes in Australia is particularly difficult. The country lies within a ``continental'' plate and evidence from other such regions uggests that Australia is therefore a relatively low risk country with only rare occurrences of major earthquakes. By comparison to other countries Australia also has a very short recorded history relative to the frequency of significant earthquakes. A discussion is given herein of factors which influence seismic zoning, the underlying assumptions and limitations which apply to the methods used and how these matters should relate to the development of design codes for earthquake forces. The discussion should be seen as a contribution towards understanding the background and assumptions and not as criticism of present code-development efforts.
1992 Li CQ, Melchers RE, 'Simulation of load effect due to creep and shrinkage', Transactions of the Institution of Engineers, Australia. Civil engineering, CE34 107-113 (1992)
Mathematical models for creep and shrinkage of concrete are used in the paper to present a whole-process analysis of creep and shrinkage effects in reinforced concrete structures,... [more]
Mathematical models for creep and shrinkage of concrete are used in the paper to present a whole-process analysis of creep and shrinkage effects in reinforced concrete structures, allowing in particular for various uncertainties. A simulation method is proposed to predict the time-dependent load effect due to creep and shrinkage under stochastic loads. It is shown through the formulation and by example that the method has the advantage that all the random variability can be included in the load effect at any point in time. Because of the uncertainties of concrete material properties and the applied loads, all parameters that describe the properties of the structures and the nature of load at any point in time are treated as random variables.
1992 MELCHERS RE, PAGE AW, 'THE NEWCASTLE EARTHQUAKE', PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS-STRUCTURES AND BUILDINGS, 94 143-156 (1992)
Adrian Page
1992 Melchers RE, Ahammed M, 'Linearisation and offshore fatigue reliability', Probabilistic Mechanics and Structural and Geotechnical Reliability, Proceedings of the Specialty Conference, 5-8 (1992)
In determining the force effects due to wave action on offshore structures it is conventional to use an equivalent linearisation to convert wave velocities to forces via Morison&a... [more]
In determining the force effects due to wave action on offshore structures it is conventional to use an equivalent linearisation to convert wave velocities to forces via Morison's equation. Different linearisations have been suggested. However, it is not, a priori, clear which is appropriate when structural fatigue is to be estimated. A (theoretical) criterion is introduced herein and examined in relation to a simple offshore structure.
1992 Melchers RE, 'Sampling techniques for time-variant reliability problems', Probabilistic Mechanics and Structural and Geotechnical Reliability, Proceedings of the Specialty Conference, 100-103 (1992)
Time-variant structural reliability problems arise when the structural resistance may change with time (such as in structural deterioration) or when the system is acted upon by tw... [more]
Time-variant structural reliability problems arise when the structural resistance may change with time (such as in structural deterioration) or when the system is acted upon by two or more stochastic load processes. This paper reviews current trends in using sampling based techniques to solve such problems.
1992 Melchers RE, Ahammed M, 'Equivalent linearisation and fatigue reliability estimation for offshore structures 531-536 (1992)
The force effects due to wave action on offshore structures are conventionally determined using Morison&apos;s equation. This is a nonlinear relation in velocity, conventionally r... [more]
The force effects due to wave action on offshore structures are conventionally determined using Morison's equation. This is a nonlinear relation in velocity, conventionally represented by an equivalent linearisation for converting wave velocities to forces, necessary to allow structural dynamic analysis by frequency domain methods (the most commonly applied approach). The suggested approaches for the linearisation can be shown to be of essentially two classes; those equivalent to Borgman's approach and those equivalent to Bolotin's. In general, it is not clear, a priori, which is more the appropriate. Nor is it clear whether these classical linearisations are relevant, particularly when structural fatigue is to be estimated (e.g., through the Palmgren-Miner rule). A criterion for derivation of a linearisation constant under fatigue considerations can be derived relatively simply. Unfortunately the criterion is not easily applied except by iteration. A sensitivity study has been performed for a simple but realistic offshore structure to estimate the relative importance of correctly estimating the linearisation constant.
1992 Melchers RE, 'Developments in structural reliability assessment under complex load conditions (1992)
The paper outlines some new directions in the assessment of structural reliability for structures subject to a number of loading processes and which may be deteriorating or changi... [more]
The paper outlines some new directions in the assessment of structural reliability for structures subject to a number of loading processes and which may be deteriorating or changing their resisting values with time. In particular, attention is given to modern methods of simulation to solve the surface integral required for 'time-dependent' reliability evaluation. As is indicated, the computations involved are not necessarily significantly more complex than those which are currently required for so-called 'time-independent' reliability assessments. (from Author)
1991 Melchers RE, 'Directional simulation for time-dependent reliability problems', Lecture Notes in Engineering, 261-272 (1991)
While there has been significant progress in the assessment of structural reliability for complex structures (e.g., offshore oil platforms) in the time independent domain, signifi... [more]
While there has been significant progress in the assessment of structural reliability for complex structures (e.g., offshore oil platforms) in the time independent domain, significant problems remain in dealing with structures subject to time varying loading. The crux of the problem lies in the fact that the loads are time dependent (e.g., wave loading, wind loading, etc.) but the material properties can be considered to be time independent. A procedure utilizing refined Monte Carlo simulation in the hyper-polar co-ordinate space of the load processes is described herein.
1991 STEWART MG, MELCHERS RE, 'THE CHOICE OF OPTIMAL CHECKING STRATEGIES FOR ERROR CONTROL IN STRUCTURAL-ENGINEERING', CIVIL ENGINEERING SYSTEMS, 8 59-59 (1991)
1991 AHMAD MZ, DATTA TK, MELCHERS RE, 'MINIMUM REINFORCEMENT SOLUTION FOR FLAT SLABS - DISCUSSION', PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS PART 2-RESEARCH AND THEORY, 91 609-615 (1991)
10.1680/iicep.1991.15634
1991 STEWART MG, MELCHERS RE, 'CHECKING MODELS IN STRUCTURAL DESIGN - CLOSURE', JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING-ASCE, 117 2188-2189 (1991)
1991 MELCHERS RE, 'NON-INVARIANT FAILURE PROBABILITIES WITH INVARIANT RELIABILITY INDEX - DISCUSSION', RELIABILITY ENGINEERING & SYSTEM SAFETY, 33 315-318 (1991)
10.1016/0951-8320(91)90068-I
1991 Melchers RE, 'Discussion on 'non-invariant failure probabilities with invariant reliability index'', Reliability Engineering and System Safety, 33 315-318 (1991)
1991 Melchers RE, 'New methods for structural reliability assessment', Proceedings of the First International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, 254-258 (1991)
The reliability of offshore structures under ultimate load conditions is considered under a potentially diverse load process scenario. An &apos;outcrossing&apos; formulation in wh... [more]
The reliability of offshore structures under ultimate load conditions is considered under a potentially diverse load process scenario. An 'outcrossing' formulation in which the loads are modelled as processes rather than only as random variables is developed in the (hyper-) polar co-ordinate space. This has distinct advantages for problems, such as involving offshore structures, for which the structural analysis for safety checking is complex (e.g., requiring a finite element analysis or dynamic analysis etc.).
1990 DITLEVSEN O, MELCHERS RE, GLUVER H, 'GENERAL MULTIDIMENSIONAL PROBABILITY INTEGRATION BY DIRECTIONAL SIMULATION', COMPUTERS & STRUCTURES, 36 355-368 (1990)
1990 CHAN HY, MELCHERS RE, 'WAVE LOADING EFFECT IN OFFSHORE STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY', STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 7 1-10 (1990)
10.1016/0167-4730(90)90009-E
1990 MELCHERS RE, 'SEARCH-BASED IMPORTANCE SAMPLING', STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 9 117-128 (1990)
1990 MELCHERS RE, TURNER RC, 'STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR MAJOR STRUCTURES - DISCUSSION', PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS PART 2-RESEARCH AND THEORY, 89 439-442 (1990)
10.1680/iicep.1990.9401
1990 Melchers RE, 'Assesment of structural reliability. A review', National Conference Publication - Institution of Engineers, Australia, 6-11 (1990)
Considerable progress has been made in the theory of structural reliability in the last 15-20 years, particularly in relation to the analytical treatment of information. Much of t... [more]
Considerable progress has been made in the theory of structural reliability in the last 15-20 years, particularly in relation to the analytical treatment of information. Much of this has gone relatively unnoticed by the engineering profession, even though the potential for structural reliability assessments in certain practical problems is now significant. Structural reliability theory has been applied, of course, to structural design code calibration, but has a much wider potential. Particularly in the offshore industry and in large projects it is being used where risk must be specifically considered and where to do so may yield considerable design and construction cost savings. In this paper the basic concepts of structural reliability theory will be reviewed and related to the standard and type of information usually availabel in engineering studies. An overview will also be given of the various calculation technique now available.
1990 Page AW, Kleeman PW, Stewart MG, Melchers RE, 'Structural aspects of the Newcastle earthquake', National Conference Publication - Institution of Engineers, Australia, 305-312 (1990)
On 28 December, 1989 the city of Newcastle was struck by a magnitude 5.6 earthquake killing 12 people and causing losses estimated at $1000 million. It was the first time a major ... [more]
On 28 December, 1989 the city of Newcastle was struck by a magnitude 5.6 earthquake killing 12 people and causing losses estimated at $1000 million. It was the first time a major Australian city has been so extensively damaged as a result of an earthquake, and the first time that deaths have occurred. With a few exceptions, most of the damage was to older loadbearing masonry construction or to infill masonry in modern framed construction. There was relatively little structural damage to modern buildings, industrial facilities and lifelines. This paper reviews the damage to structures and brings out the main points to be considered in future design and construction.
Adrian Page, Mark Stewart
1990 MELCHERS RE, 'RADIAL IMPORTANCE SAMPLING FOR STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY', JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING MECHANICS-ASCE, 116 189-203 (1990)
1990 Melchers RE, 'Discussion of paper', Civil Engineering Systems, 7 242-243 (1990)
1989 Stewart MG, Melchers RE, 'Structural design and design checking', Civil engineering transactions, CE31 63-69 (1989)
The process of structural design has received very little attention from the research community despite its centralness in day-to-day structural engineering. Much of the research ... [more]
The process of structural design has received very little attention from the research community despite its centralness in day-to-day structural engineering. Much of the research which has been done has been carried out in Australia over a number of years and with the co-operation of many structural engineers. The present paper reviews the reasons for being engaged in this relatively unusual research activity and provides an overview of the work to date. A review is given of the incidence and type of errors made in basic design tasks such as calculations, table look-up and table interpolation, and how these errors relate to results obtained for more comprehensive tasks such as loading determination and member design. One of the outcomes of the work has been to suggest areas in certain current design codes which are prone to misinterpretation by practitioners. Preliminary results related to design computation checking and inspection are also reviewed. This work potentially has major implications for quality assurance programmes.
1989 MELCHERS RE, 'IMPORTANCE SAMPLING IN STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS', STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 6 3-10 (1989)
1989 STEWART MG, MELCHERS RE, 'ERROR CONTROL IN MEMBER DESIGN', STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 6 11-24 (1989)
1989 MELCHERS RE, 'ADAPTIVE SAMPLING - AN ITERATIVE FAST MONTE-CARLO PROCEDURE - DISCUSSION', STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 6 65-66 (1989)
1989 Melchers RE, 'Discussion to: Bucher, C.G. adaptive sampling-an iterative fast Monte Carlo procedure. Structural safety, 5 (1988) 119-126', Structural Safety, 6 65-66 (1989)
1989 Stewart MG, Melchers RE, 'Decision model for overview checking of engineering designs', International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 4 19-27 (1989)
Overview checking occurs whenever an engineering design is reviewed by another engineer without specifically carrying out checking calculations or following through the design pro... [more]
Overview checking occurs whenever an engineering design is reviewed by another engineer without specifically carrying out checking calculations or following through the design process in detail. Results are reported herein of a survey examining the effectiveness of overview checking. The respondents were requested to assess whether a structural design should be considered "undersized", "correct" or "oversized". Using the responses as a basis, a decision model is proposed for the effectiveness of overview checking as a function of error magnitude and of checker's experience. It is concluded that correct assessment of a design as "safe" is not a function of experience. However, it appears that more experience is beneficial in selecting economical designs. © 1989.
1989 MELCHERS RE, 'STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR MAJOR STRUCTURES', PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS PART 2-RESEARCH AND THEORY, 87 343-356 (1989)
1989 MELCHERS RE, 'HUMAN ERROR IN STRUCTURAL DESIGN TASKS', JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING-ASCE, 115 1795-1807 (1989)
1989 STEWART MG, MELCHERS RE, 'OPTIMIZATION OF STRUCTURAL DESIGN CHECKING', JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING-ASCE, 115 2448-2460 (1989)
1989 STEWART MG, MELCHERS RE, 'CHECKING MODELS IN STRUCTURAL DESIGN', JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING-ASCE, 115 1309-1324 (1989)
1989 Melchers RE, 'On probabilistic absolute optimum design', Structural Optimization, 1 107-112 (1989)
Absolute structural optimization problems such as leastweight and layout problems become both more realistic and more complex when their parameters are described probabilistically... [more]
Absolute structural optimization problems such as leastweight and layout problems become both more realistic and more complex when their parameters are described probabilistically. The theoretical framework for absolute optimal design of sandwich beams, grillages and reinforced slabs is extended herein to deal with probabilistic parameters. It is shown that using a simplified probabilistic framework (socalled First Order Second Moment), some classical solutions for optimal layout remain valid. Remarks about the more general problem and the difficulty of its solution close the paper. © 1989 Springer-Verlag.
1989 Melchers RE, 'Improved importance sampling methods for structural system reliability calculation 1185-1192 (1989)
Improvements can be made to importance sampling by recognising some of the essential features of the time-independent structural reliability problem. Thus non-interesting regions ... [more]
Improvements can be made to importance sampling by recognising some of the essential features of the time-independent structural reliability problem. Thus non-interesting regions in the integration domain can be deleted from consideration using a priori information and updating techniques. These can also be used to obtain the point(s) of maximum likelihood, a central parameter for importance sampling in cartesian co-ordinates.
1988 HON KK, MELCHERS RE, 'EXPERIMENTAL BEHAVIOR OF STEEL COLUMN BASES', JOURNAL OF CONSTRUCTIONAL STEEL RESEARCH, 9 35-50 (1988)
10.1016/0143-974X(88)90055-7
1988 MELCHERS RE, 'A CRITICAL-APPRAISAL OF METHODS TO DETERMINE FAILURE PROBABILITIES - DISCUSSION', STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 5 155-156 (1988)
1988 STEWART MG, MELCHERS RE, 'SIMULATION OF HUMAN ERROR IN A DESIGN LOADING TASK', STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 5 285-297 (1988)
10.1016/0167-4730(88)90029-X
1988 Melchers RE, 'Discussion to Schuëller, G.I. and Stix, R., A critical appraisal of methods to determine failure probabilities. Structural Safety, 4 (1987) 293-309', Structural Safety, 5 155-156 (1988)
1988 TANG K, MELCHERS RE, 'INCREMENTAL FORMULATION FOR STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY-ANALYSIS', CIVIL ENGINEERING SYSTEMS, 5 153-158 (1988)
1987 Melchers RE, 'MONTE-CARLO METHODS FOR STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY ANALYSES.', Civil engineering transactions, 29 219-222 (1987)
Elementary Monte-Carlo sampling as a technique to artificially replicate an experimental program has been used successfully for relatively simple problems, provided the failure pr... [more]
Elementary Monte-Carlo sampling as a technique to artificially replicate an experimental program has been used successfully for relatively simple problems, provided the failure probability to be calculated is relatively large. The present paper reviews the elementary Monte-Carlo method and describes little known, but improved approach known as Importance Sampling.
1987 TANG LK, MELCHERS RE, 'IMPROVED APPROXIMATION FOR MULTINORMAL INTEGRAL', STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 4 81-93 (1987)
1987 MELCHERS RE, MORLEY CT, WOOD RH, GURLEY CR, 'EQUILIBRIUM DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR TORSIONLESS GRILLAGES OR HILLERBORG SLABS UNDER CONCENTRATED LOADS - DISCUSSION', PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS PART 2-RESEARCH AND THEORY, 83 669-682 (1987)
1987 YEE YL, MELCHERS RE, 'MOMENT ROTATION CURVES FOR BOLTED CONNECTIONS - CLOSURE', JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING-ASCE, 113 2327-2329 (1987)
1987 TANG LK, MELCHERS RE, 'DOMINANT MECHANISMS IN STOCHASTIC PLASTIC FRAMES', RELIABILITY ENGINEERING & SYSTEM SAFETY, 18 101-115 (1987)
1987 Chan HY, Melchers RE, 'Wave load modelling for offshore structural reliability.', IN: FIRST NAT. STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING CONF. 1987, PREPRINT OF PAPERS, (MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: AUG. 26-28, 1987), 1 , Barton, Australia, Inst. Engrs. Australia, 1987 152-157 (1987)
The modelling of applied wave loading for steel tubular offshore platforms and appropriate statistical models are discussed. For the purposes of reliability analysis, the fact tha... [more]
The modelling of applied wave loading for steel tubular offshore platforms and appropriate statistical models are discussed. For the purposes of reliability analysis, the fact that wave trains reach the various structural components at different times, and the effect this may have on the sequence of most likely member failure, is considered.
1987 Hon KK, Melchers RE, 'MOMENT-ROTATION CURVES FOR 'PINNED' COLUMN-BASES.', Structural Engineer, Part B: R&amp;D Quarterly, 65 B 54-59 (1987)
A mathematical model, based on the physical properties of nominally &apos;pinned&apos; column-bases and intended to describe the moment-rotation characteristics for given eccentri... [more]
A mathematical model, based on the physical properties of nominally 'pinned' column-bases and intended to describe the moment-rotation characteristics for given eccentricity of axial load, is presented. The model uses three main parameters to describe the characteristic: elastic stiffness, strain hardening stiffness, and plastic moment capacity. In addition, an empirically determined 'shape' factor allows for the transition from elastic to inelastic behavior. The model is compared to a series of full-sized test results for a range of practical column-base connection. The behavior of soil under the footing is not considered.
1987 Chan HY, Melchers RE, 'RELIABILITY OF COMPLEX STRUCTURES UNDER WAVE LOADS. (1987)
The reliability analysis of multi-membered structures such as steel tubular offshore platforms has been largely confined to considerations of structural member behavior and given ... [more]
The reliability analysis of multi-membered structures such as steel tubular offshore platforms has been largely confined to considerations of structural member behavior and given loading uncertainty. However realistic modelling of wave forces may require account to be taken of the effect of wave forces varying with the incident wave location as it passes through the structure. Such an analysis is described in the present paper, using the Truncated Enumeration technique previously described. Main emphasis is given to structures composed of elastic-brittle members: the analysis for elastic-plastic structures degenerates to that of a probabilistic adaptation problem.
1987 Melchers RE, 'STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY ASSESSMENT AND HUMAN ERROR. (1987)
Realistic assessment of reliability must take account of the possibility of human error in the design and execution of the project of interest. This is also true for structural re... [more]
Realistic assessment of reliability must take account of the possibility of human error in the design and execution of the project of interest. This is also true for structural reliability assessment, even though for some applications, such as design code writing, a nominal reliability measure, largely ignoring human error, may well be sufficient. The present paper reviews, briefly, the principles by which human error information may be taken into account in reliability assessment, and, in a little more detail, both empirical models and data for some types of human error which may arise in structural design processes. Attention is also given to three forms of checking: independent, self- and overview checking. Only recently has some indicative data for checking processes become available; in all aspects the reported research must seem as preliminary rather than definitive.
1986 Evans EP, Baker KN, Cairnes TH, Clyde DH, Johnson R, Kavanagh KT, et al., 'STRUCTURAL CODES AND THE PROFESSION - REPORT OF A WORKING PARTY.', Civil engineering transactions, 28 106-121 (1986)
Debate concerning the role, authority and complexity of contemporary structural codes has persisted in Australia and overseas for many years. The Report examines contemporary lite... [more]
Debate concerning the role, authority and complexity of contemporary structural codes has persisted in Australia and overseas for many years. The Report examines contemporary literature and assesses the results of a request for opinion. Conflicting views of different user groups are identified. The traditional roles of codes as multi-user documents, vehicles for communicating information, and educational resources are examined. The profession's view of codes is interpreted and a proposal put forward as to what should be the Institution of Engineers' position on the philosophy, form and drafting of codes.
1986 Melchers RE, 'RELIABILITY THEORY AS A TOOL IN OFFSHORE STRUCTURAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.', National Conference Publication - Institution of Engineers, Australia, 177-181 (1986)
Traditional design methods for offshore structures have, on the whole, worked well, but there are now moves to develop probabilistically-based design rules. This is a sound strate... [more]
Traditional design methods for offshore structures have, on the whole, worked well, but there are now moves to develop probabilistically-based design rules. This is a sound strategy since uncertainties in information can be rationally incorporated in the design and analysis process. The application of reliability theory extends, however, also to the sphere of analysis and decision making in the construction stages. The paper briefly reviews the essential concepts of structural reliability theory and then indicates the various ways in which it has been or can be applied in practical situations. This includes analysis for peak loading and for fatigue as well as other criteria. Some ongoing research areas will be noted.
1986 YEE YL, MELCHERS RE, 'MOMENT-ROTATION CURVES FOR BOLTED CONNECTIONS', JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING-ASCE, 112 615-635 (1986)
1986 Melchers RE, 'Reliability theory as a tool in offshore structural design and construction.', IN: FIRST AUSTRALASIAN PORT, HARBOUR &amp; OFFSHORE ENGINEERING CONFERENCE 1986, (SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: SEP. 29-OCT. 2, 1986), BARTO, (1986)
Offshore structures are subject to poorly defined hazards such as storms, continued wave action, corrosion and ship impact and are themselves not well defined in terms of their st... [more]
Offshore structures are subject to poorly defined hazards such as storms, continued wave action, corrosion and ship impact and are themselves not well defined in terms of their strength or resistance. Traditional design methods for offshore structures have, on the whole, worked well, but there are now moves to develop probabilistically based design rules. This is a sound strategy since uncertainties in information can be rationally incorporated in the design and analysis process. The application of reliability theory extends, however, also to the sphere of analysis and decision making in the construction stages. The paper briefly reviews the essential concepts of structural reliability theory and then indicates the various ways in which it has been or can be applied in practical situations. This includes analysis for peak loading and for fatigue as well as other criteria. Some ongoing research areas will be noted. (A)
1986 Melchers RE, 'HUMAN INFLUENCES IN QUALITY ASSURANCE.', Reports of the Working Commissions (International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering), 50 107-116 (1986)
The effectiveness of quality assurance depends largely on the effectiveness of the facilitative measures it provides and the control measures it imposes. These are related to stru... [more]
The effectiveness of quality assurance depends largely on the effectiveness of the facilitative measures it provides and the control measures it imposes. These are related to structural safety and structural performance through human error. Both empirical data about human error and models are selectively reviewed herein and directions of some ongoing research outlined.
1986 Hon KK, Melchers RE, 'INITIAL INVESTIGATION OF COLUMN BASE BEHAVIOUR. 73-79 (1986)
A common feature of many steel building frames is the use of two bolts to anchor a baseplate welded to the column end to the concrete foundation. Such a connection is typically as... [more]
A common feature of many steel building frames is the use of two bolts to anchor a baseplate welded to the column end to the concrete foundation. Such a connection is typically assumed to represent a pinned connection, meaning that it is assumed for design purposes that the connection is incapable of transferring bending moment. However, virtually no experimental observations about the behaviour of such connections have been reported. The paper presents some initial experimental findings for connection capacity under axial load and bending moment and reports on preliminary mathematical modelling of the behaviour of the connection using physical parameters such as endplate thickness and bolt characteristics as input.
1985 Cugley RC, Kennedy B, Melchers RE, 'DYNAMIC STABILITY OF UNRESTRAINED PILES DURING DRIVING.', Structural Engineer, 63 A 173-178 (1985)
The response of an initially curved cantilever strut with a lumped mass at the tip subject to arbitrary axial impact loads is described, as a model for the dynamic response of unr... [more]
The response of an initially curved cantilever strut with a lumped mass at the tip subject to arbitrary axial impact loads is described, as a model for the dynamic response of unrestrained piles during driving. The differential equation of motion defining the lateral movement of impact-loaded cantilever struts is derived. This equation includes the effect of inertial resistance to motion provided by both the strut self-mass and the mass of the pile hammer. The shape of force pulses produced during pile driving was approximated by an equivalent trapezoidal force pulse. The differential equation of motion was solved for this force pulse using the Runge-Kutta technique. The solution was found to agree with observed pile behavior during driving. Is is shown that the magnitude of lateral displacements reduces as the mass of the pile hammer increases, because of inertial effects.
1985 Tang LK, Melchers RE, 'RELIABILITY OF LARGE STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS.', Institution of Engineers, Australia, Civil Engineering Transactions, 27 136-142 (1985)
For structural systems, calculation of the structural failure probability requires the determination of all the failure modes contributing significantly to the overall failure pro... [more]
For structural systems, calculation of the structural failure probability requires the determination of all the failure modes contributing significantly to the overall failure probability. For large systems it is not practical to enumerate fully all modes. The paper presents a procedure, termed the Truncated Enumeration Method, which has been shown to be derivable rigorously from exhaustive enumeration when truncation of solution possibilities, not significant for the reliability assessment, is imposed. The method has been able to reproduce independently all known solutions obtained by others, but usually in a more systematic manner. The relationship of this method to other system reliability calculation techniques is discussed, some limitations are noted and some calculation results are presented.
1985 Harrington MV, Melchers RE, 'TIME DEPENDENT STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY WITH REFERENCE TO LOW-CYCLE FATIGUE.', Institution of Engineers, Australia, Civil Engineering Transactions, 27 130-135 (1985)
This paper presents an exploratory example of the way structural reliability may change with time, in this case due to the effect of low-cycle fatigue. This may be of interest for... [more]
This paper presents an exploratory example of the way structural reliability may change with time, in this case due to the effect of low-cycle fatigue. This may be of interest for structures subject to the possibility of high overload during their design lives. Inelastic fracture mechanics theory is reviewed in the first part of the paper. This is followed by a discussion of distributions appropriate for use in a reliability analysis. Monte-Carlo simulation is then employed to show how, typically, the failure probability changes with the number of load applications to the structure, i. e. with time.
1985 Melchers RE, 'RELIABILITY CALCULATION FOR STRUCTURES.', Institution of Engineers, Australia, Civil Engineering Transactions, 27 124-129 (1985)
Structures are composed of many members and connections, each with individual properties. When the member properties and the loadings applied to the structure are specified in sta... [more]
Structures are composed of many members and connections, each with individual properties. When the member properties and the loadings applied to the structure are specified in statistical terms, the determination of structural system reliability becomes a problem of multi-fold integration. Since direct integration is feasible only for extremely simple structures, several alternative approaches to the problem have been suggested; either through simplifying the integration process itself or through simplified reliability theory. These approaches are discussed in the context of use of computer programs and computer usage.
1985 Melchers RE, Tang LK, 'RELIABILITY ANALYSIS OF MULTI-MEMBER STRUCTURES. 763-772 (1985)
For structural systems composed of many individual members each perhaps having a nonlinear constitutive relationship, the calculation of the probability of structural failure unde... [more]
For structural systems composed of many individual members each perhaps having a nonlinear constitutive relationship, the calculation of the probability of structural failure under applied random loading requires a knowledge of all failure modes which contribute significantly to the failure probability. For large structural systems this may present a formidable problem, even with modern computers. A calculation procedure which systematically generates failure modes and eliminates those of little significance is described, together with appropriate procedures for calculating the necessary modal failure probabilities. (Author abstract. ) Refs.
1985 Melchers RE, Cugley RC, 'TRAINSIENT STABILITY OF STEEL PILES DURING DRIVING. 755-762 (1985)
Some dynamic elastic buckling formulations for driven piles are given and some solutions presented. These are compared to limited model tests. Suggestions for an improved formulat... [more]
Some dynamic elastic buckling formulations for driven piles are given and some solutions presented. These are compared to limited model tests. Suggestions for an improved formulation and for practical implications are made. (Author abstract. )
1985 Melchers RE, Tang LK, 'FAILURE MODES IN COMPLEX STOCHASTIC SYSTEMS. 97-106 (1985)
For large structural systems, calculation of the structural failure probability requires a knowledge of all relevant failure modes. The so-called &apos;truncated enumeration metho... [more]
For large structural systems, calculation of the structural failure probability requires a knowledge of all relevant failure modes. The so-called 'truncated enumeration method' to systematically derive the dominant failure modes is described. The derivation of the limit state expressions for each mode is through an incremental load approach, which allows member behaviour including strain hardening, strain softening and residual strength to be handled. It is noted that elastic-plastic member behaviour does not necessarily converge to rigid-plastic behaviour. Finally, the numerical problems associated with the procedures outlined are discussed and two examples given.
1985 Melchers RE, Stewart MG, 'DATA-BASED MODELS FOR HUMAN ERROR IN DESIGN. 51-60 (1985)
To predict the reliability of structures it is necessary to make reasonable allowances in the assessment for the influence of human error in the design, construction and use of th... [more]
To predict the reliability of structures it is necessary to make reasonable allowances in the assessment for the influence of human error in the design, construction and use of the structure. The present paper deals with an attempt to model mathematically the human errors introduced into the structural design process and the effect they may have on structural safety. Preliminary data collection for use in the model is reported, and an outline of the model being developed is given.
1984 MELCHERS RE, TANG LK, 'DOMINANT FAILURE MODES IN STOCHASTIC STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS', STRUCTURAL SAFETY, 2 127-143 (1984)
1984 MELCHERS RE, 'HUMAN ERROR IN STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY ASSESSMENTS', RELIABILITY ENGINEERING & SYSTEM SAFETY, 7 61-75 (1984)
1984 Harrington MV, Melchers RE, 'TIME DEPENDENT STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY. 301-305 (1984)
This paper presents an example of the way structural reliability may change with time, in this case due to the effect of low-cycle fatigue. This may be of interest for structures ... [more]
This paper presents an example of the way structural reliability may change with time, in this case due to the effect of low-cycle fatigue. This may be of interest for structures subject to the possibility of high overload during their design lives. Inelastic fracture mechanics theory is reviewed in the first part of the paper. This is followed by a discussion of distributions appropriate for use in a reliability analysis. Monte-Carlo simulation is then employed to show how, typically, the failure probability changes with the number of load applications to the structure, i. e. with time.
1984 Tang LK, Melchers RE, 'RELIABILITY OF LARGE STRUCTURAL SYSTEM. 295-300 (1984)
For structural systems, calculation of the structural failure probability requires the determination of all the failure modes contributing significantly to the overall failure probability. For large systems it is not practical to enumerate fully all modes. The paper will present a procedure, termed the 'Truncated Enumeration Method', which has been shown to be derivable rigorously from exhaustive enumeration when truncation of solution possibilities, not significant for the reliability assessment, is imposed.
1983 Cugley RC, Melchers RE, 'DYNAMIC STABILITY OF STEEL PILES.', National Conference Publication - Institution of Engineers, Australia, 128-132 (1983)
1983 Melchers RE, Yee YL, 'DEFLECTION OF FRAMES WITH BOLTED END-PLATE CONNECTIONS.', National Conference Publication - Institution of Engineers, Australia, 176-180 (1983)
1983 Melchers RE, 'RELIABILITY CALCULATION FOR MAJOR STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS.', National Conference Publication - Institution of Engineers, Australia, 95-99 (1983)
1983 Brownlee RT, Melchers RE, 'ULTIMATE LIMIT STATE FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAMES.', National Conference Publication - Institution of Engineers, Australia, 105-110 (1983)
1983 MELCHERS RE, 'RELIABILITY OF PARALLEL STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS', JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING-ASCE, 109 2651-2665 (1983)
1983 Melchers RE, Baker MJ, Moses F, 'EVALUATION OF EXPERIENCE.', Reports of the Working Commissions (International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineerin, 47 21-38 (1983)
1983 Melchers RE, Harrington MV, 'STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY AS AFFECTED BY HUMAN ERROR. 683-694 (1983)
1983 Melchers RE, 'STATIC THEOREM APPROACH TO THE RELIABILITY OF PARALLEL PLASTIC STRUCTURES. 1313-1324 (1983)
1982 MELCHERS RE, 'DEFLECTION OF STATICALLY INDETERMINATE STRUCTURES', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES, 24 341-347 (1982)
1982 MELCHERS RE, 'DEFLECTION OF HYPERSTATIC THERMOELASTIC STRUCTURES', JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL MECHANICS, 10 227-240 (1982)
1982 Melchers RE, 'CORRELATION EFFECTS IN THE RELIABILITY ANALYSIS OF PARALLEL STRUCTURES. (1982)
For the reliability assessment of structures which may fail in one of several failure modes, bounds on the probability of failure of the structure have been developed. It is well ... [more]
For the reliability assessment of structures which may fail in one of several failure modes, bounds on the probability of failure of the structure have been developed. It is well known that even the best of these bounds are dependent on the correlation between the failure modes and that this correlation is, in turn, dependent on the correlation between member properties. Relatively little appears to be known about the importance of member property correlation effects in reliability analysis, nor about the actual values of correlation coefficients. Before attempts are made to increase our knowledge of member correlation, the importance of correlation effects in structural reliability calculations should be assessed. The paper describes a simple study of the sensitivity of structural reliability assessments to variations in correlation coefficients for parallel structures. It is demonstrated that the structural reliability for the structure considered is sensitive mainly to correlation between different locations within the same member or related members.
1982 Melchers RE, Kaur D, 'BEHAVIOUR OF FRAMES WITH FLEXIBLE CONNECTIONS. (1982)
The so-called &apos;rigid&apos; connections in real frames are seldom rigid, and instead contribute to the deflection behaviour of the frame. In conventional practice this is usua... [more]
The so-called 'rigid' connections in real frames are seldom rigid, and instead contribute to the deflection behaviour of the frame. In conventional practice this is usually ignored. The present paper is a first step in the analysis of the significance of connection flexibility, allowing for both elastic and plastic behaviour of frame members. It is shown that existing formulae for prediction of connection behaviour of bolted end plated connections are inadequate and that connection flexibility can make a significant contribution to frame deflection. However, this contribution varies in magnitude with load level and frame flexibility. A wide spectrum of realistic frames needs to be examined to assess the importance of connection flexibility for designers.
1981 MELCHERS RE, 'REINFORCEMENT MINIMIZATION OF BEAMS WITH AXIAL FORCES', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES, 23 607-617 (1981)
1981 MELCHERS RE, 'APPROXIMATE DEFLECTIONS IN PLASTIC DESIGN', JOURNAL OF THE STRUCTURAL DIVISION-ASCE, 107 1359-1364 (1981)
1981 Melchers RE, Clarke GJ, 'DETERMINING SERVICEABILITY DEFLECTIONS IN PLASTICALLY DESIGNED STRUCTURES.', Institution of Engineers, Australia, Civil Engineering Transactions, CE 23 74-79 (1981)
Methods for determining the deflections at service loads in plstically designed structures are presented. A number of approaches to calculating these deflections are considered, s... [more]
Methods for determining the deflections at service loads in plstically designed structures are presented. A number of approaches to calculating these deflections are considered, since the usual method of performing a completely separate elastic analysis of the plastically designed structure is generally very cumbersome unless a computer is available. The alternative methods considered are: (a) direct estimation from plastic bending moment distribution; (b) correction approach; (c) exact calculation using a newly developed theorem; and (d) an approximate procedure using estimates of the bending moment diagrams for use in the unit dummy load method. Several examples are worked to illustrate the methods. It is shown that method (c) is a powerful direct and accurate technique for most simple structures.
1980 MELCHERS RE, 'REINFORCEMENT MINIMIZATION OF CYLINDRICAL-SHELLS', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NON-LINEAR MECHANICS, 15 505-516 (1980)
1980 MELCHERS RE, 'A FUZZY SAFETY MEASURE', JOURNAL OF THE ENGINEERING MECHANICS DIVISION-ASCE, 106 856-857 (1980)
1980 MELCHERS RE, 'SERVICE LOAD DEFLECTIONS IN PLASTIC STRUCTURAL DESIGN', PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS PART 2-RESEARCH AND THEORY, 69 157-174 (1980)
1980 Melchers RE, 'EXAMINATION OF PUBLISHED CASES OF STRUCTURAL FAILURE.', Institution of Engineers, Australia, Civil Engineering Transactions, CE22 222-230 (1980)
Study of cases of structural failure show these to be inconsistent between various investigators. To resolve these problems, detailed studies of the causes and underlying mechanis... [more]
Study of cases of structural failure show these to be inconsistent between various investigators. To resolve these problems, detailed studies of the causes and underlying mechanisms for structural failure are required, even though this severely limits the data that can be employed. Starting from the development of a quite general model of the causes of structural failure, implications are derived for the type of information that can be obtained using limited data. The study of well-reported cases of failure can be useful in identifying ¿error-causing-potentials¿ , but only socially weighted relative values can be established from such a study. Particular attention is given to the relative importance of so-called ¿uncertainty¿ type (or ¿gross¿ ) errors compared to errors arising from natural variability. It is suggested that the manipulation of control processes is likely to be an effective practical means of reducing structural failure.
1980 Melchers RE, 'SOCIENTAL OPTIONS FOR ASSURANCE OF STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE. 983-988 (1980)
1979 MELCHERS RE, 'VALIDITY OF YIELD-LINE THEORY FOR POLYHEDRAL SHELLS', JOURNAL OF THE ENGINEERING MECHANICS DIVISION-ASCE, 105 107-126 (1979)
1979 MELCHERS RE, ARMER GST, 'INFLUENCE OF CONTROL PROCESSES IN STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING', PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS PART 2-RESEARCH AND THEORY, 67 551-552 (1979)
1979 Melchers RE, 'SELECTION OF CONTROL LEVELS FOR MAXIMUM UTILITY OF STRUCTURES.', National Bureau of Standards, Special Publication, 2 839-849 (1979)
The role of human error in the effective implementation and use of structural engineering projects is reviewed and shown to be underestimated in conventional treatments of probabi... [more]
The role of human error in the effective implementation and use of structural engineering projects is reviewed and shown to be underestimated in conventional treatments of probabilistic structural design. Both suitable organization and control are required for project success. The concept of maximizing total expected socio-economic utility is employed to derive criteria for selecting the levels of control required on the various tasks constituting the construction and use sequence of a structural engineering project. These criteria are applied to a hypothetical example using both the limited experimental evidence available and hypothesized data. Refs.
1978 MELCHERS RE, 'STRUCTURAL-ANALYSIS OF REINFORCED-CONCRETE TANKS', JOURNAL OF THE STRUCTURAL DIVISION-ASCE, 104 609-611 (1978)
1978 FERNANDO JS, KEMP KO, LOWE PG, CLARK LA, BHATT P, MELCHERS RE, HARROP J, 'GENERALIZED STRIP DEFLECTION METHOD OF REINFORCED-CONCRETE SLAB DESIGN', PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS PART 2-RESEARCH AND THEORY, 65 719-724 (1978)
1978 MELCHERS RE, 'INFLUENCE OF CONTROL PROCESSES IN STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING', PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS PART 2-RESEARCH AND THEORY, 65 791-807 (1978)
1977 MELCHERS RE, 'INFLUENCE OF ORGANIZATION ON PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION', JOURNAL OF THE CONSTRUCTION DIVISION-ASCE, 103 611-625 (1977)
1976 MELCHERS RE, 'MINIMUM REINFORCEMENT OF NONUNIFORM PLATES', JOURNAL OF THE ENGINEERING MECHANICS DIVISION-ASCE, 102 943-955 (1976)
1975 MELCHERS RE, 'OPTIMALLY REINFORCED AXISYMMETRIC PLATES', JOURNAL OF THE ENGINEERING MECHANICS DIVISION-ASCE, 101 143-149 (1975)
1975 Melchers RE, 'OPTIMALLY REINFORCED AXISYMMETRIC PLATES', ASCE J Eng Mech Div, 101 143-149 (1975)
A sandwich plate is considered in which the reinforcement fibers are located entirely within the outer faces of the plate. The layout of the fibers is determined within the faces ... [more]
A sandwich plate is considered in which the reinforcement fibers are located entirely within the outer faces of the plate. The layout of the fibers is determined within the faces of the plate to minimize the total fiber consumption. The variation of fiber material within the optimal plate to resist the internal stress resultants due to a given loading may be obtained once the fiber layout has been determined. Only one loading case is considered for a simply supported plate, clamped plate, and simply supported annular plate.
1974 MELCHERS RE, 'THEORY OF OPTIMAL, CONSTANT THICKNESS FIBER-REINFORCED PLATES .2. - REPLY', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES, 16 264-266 (1974)
1974 LOWE PG, MELCHERS RE, 'THEORY OF OPTIMAL, EDGE BEAM SUPPORTED, FIBER-REINFORCED PLATES', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES, 16 627-641 (1974)
1973 Melchers RE, 'OPTIMAL DESIGN OF VARIABLE THICKNESS REINFORCED PLATES. (1973)
A general optimality condition is indicated for laterally loaded plates reinforced with fibers in their outer faces only. This result is applied to two examples. The first is a si... [more]
A general optimality condition is indicated for laterally loaded plates reinforced with fibers in their outer faces only. This result is applied to two examples. The first is a simply supported circular plate for which the thickness variation is specified. It is found that an optimal design has only radial fibres. The second problem is a simply supported square plate under arbitrary loading, for which the reinforcement fibers have different internal lever-arms in bending for different orientations within the plan of the plate.
1973 LOWE PG, MELCHERS RE, 'THEORY OF OPTIMAL CONSTANT THICKNESS FIBER-REINFORCED PLATES .2.', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES, 15 157-169 (1973)
1973 LOWE PG, MELCHERS RE, 'THEORY OF OPTIMAL, CONSTANT THICKNESS FIBER-REINFORCED PLATES .3.', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES, 15 711-726 (1973)
1972 LOWE PG, MELCHERS RE, 'THEORY OF OPTIMAL, CONSTANT THICKNESS, FIBER-REINFORCED PLATES', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES, 14 311-& (1972)
Show 340 more journal articles
Conference (293 outputs)
2020 Melchers RE, Ahammed M, 'Extreme Value Statistics for Pitting Corrosion of Steel Pipelines', ACMSM25. Proceedings of the 25th Australasian Conference on Mechanics of Structures and Materials, Brisbane, Australia (2020) [E1]
10.1007/978-981-13-7603-0_65
2018 Jardim Do Nascimento B, Chaves IA, Masia MJ, Melchers RE, 'A field investigation into long-term corrosion of metal wall ties in masonry veneer construction', Proceedings of the 10th Australasian Masonry Conference. Masonry Today and Tomorrow, Sydney, Australia (2018) [E1]
Mark Masia, Igor Chaves
2018 Potts A, Jayasinghe K, Kilner A, Melchers R, Chaplin CR, 'Advancements in guidance for the specification and assessment of mooring steel wire rope', Proceedings of the Annual Offshore Technology Conference (2018)
© 2018, Offshore Technology Conference. Prior to the SCORCH JIP, industry guidance for steel wire ropes specified only a maximum service life for various rope constructions, provi... [more]
© 2018, Offshore Technology Conference. Prior to the SCORCH JIP, industry guidance for steel wire ropes specified only a maximum service life for various rope constructions, providing no insight into the corrosion degradation processes affecting mooring ropes at different locations in the mooring line and under different working conditions, or to potential differences in manufacture. One of the objectives of the SCORCH JIP was to address this gap in knowledge by providing design guidance on the specification of mooring wire ropes and analytical tools to estimate the design service life of mooring wire ropes for particular site conditions, especially in tropical waters. In the wire rope component of the JIP, field recovered specimens were examined and field tests on wires and wire ropes were performed to quantify the effects of external factors driving degradation of wire ropes in marine environments, including: protective coating; blocking compound, temperature, flow velocity, oxygenation and dynamic loading. Failure modes for wire rope were analysed based on the examination of recovered samples from in- service wire ropes, inspection records from different floating production units (FPUs), reported experiments in the field and experiments in literature. Experimental testing (both field tests and laboratory tests) of individual wire strands and complete wire rope constructions were carried out at a number of locations with varying environmental conditions. These data were then analysed to derive a phenomenological model that represents the observed behaviour of both ropes and individual wire layers. Amongst the key findings of the SCORCH JIP investigation was that the corrosion endurance of steel wire rope mooring lines is largely driven by the longevity of the galvanizing or other galvanic protecting coating, and the blocking compound, which forestall the direct corrosion loss of metallic area of the relatively small steel wires. Two major mechanisms by which zinc oxidation occurs and the major environmental contributors to the acceleration of wire degradation were identified; and efficacy of various rope protection methods were assessed. A predictive model was derived which characterised the rate of zinc dissolution, performance of blocking compound and corrosion rates for different exposure and working conditions. The outcome of the wire rope component of the SCORCH JIP was a significant advancement in industry knowledge on the corrosion behaviour of steel mooring wire ropes.
2018 Jayasinghe K, Potts A, Kilner A, Melchers R, 'Mooring chain wear experiments and findings', Proceedings of the Annual Offshore Technology Conference (2018)
Copyright © 2018, Offshore Technology Conference. Whilst mooring chain design practice has traditionally considered wear and corrosion together under a single allowance for materi... [more]
Copyright © 2018, Offshore Technology Conference. Whilst mooring chain design practice has traditionally considered wear and corrosion together under a single allowance for material loss, the two phenomena are influenced by different factors whereby they may act synergistically to accelerate degradation rates or act completely independently. As chain wear has been attributed to both the acceleration of corrosion-related degradation and the cause of chain failures and early mooring repairs by itself, it was investigated as part of the SCORCH JIP. An extensive literature review and meta-analysis of wear research was carried out in order to determine a framework for assessing the wear of mooring chains. The literature review found that the phenomenon of wear in general and mooring chain wear in particularly was not well understood, with little agreement as to a general analytical model for wear prediction. The particular wear regimes under which mooring chain wear occurs was identified and a critical analysis of available data on mooring chain wear was carried out where it was determined that experimental conditions were likely to have been outside of the bounds of validity for what would be experienced in the field. A generic formulation for chain wear was presented, where the amount of wear is proportional to the work done at the interlink contact due to the relative sliding of the chain links. Supplementary to the literature review, a series of wear tests of full-scale mooring chain links were carried out under varying load conditions for different grades of chain. These tests were used to determine empirical coefficients for the prediction of chain wear. A model for wear prediction was presented based on the position of the chain in the mooring line, the tension in the line and the relative motion of the chain links. The evolution of the contact surface between chain links was modelled using 3D geometries of idealized chain links in order to determine a relationship between the volume of worn metallic area and the depth of wear, which can be more easily measured in-service.
2018 Potts A, Kurts P, Jayasinghe K, Kilner A, Melchers R, Lee T, Chaplin R, 'SCORCH JIP - Overview of Project and summary of findings', Proceedings of the Annual Offshore Technology Conference (2018)
Copyright 2018, Offshore Technology Conference. Operators have, in the past, experienced high rates of corrosion for mooring systems in warm waters above those allowed for in trad... [more]
Copyright 2018, Offshore Technology Conference. Operators have, in the past, experienced high rates of corrosion for mooring systems in warm waters above those allowed for in traditional design guidance. The Joint Industry Project (JIP) for Seawater Corrosion of wire Rope and mooring Chain (SCORCH) was carried out with the participation of over twenty five offshore platform operators, equipment manufacturers, regulators and classification societies to address gaps in industry knowledge on the corrosion of steel wire rope and mooring chain, particularly in tropical waters. The five-year project involved a broad range of research from literature review through to field experiments, examination of recovered in-service components and derivation of generalised corrosion models. Coupons of several grades of chain were deployed for a two year period at a number of sites to account for variation in temperature, oxygenation, current/wave action and water quality. Full-size chain links and lengths of smaller chain were also deployed for comparison, with special laboratory tests to investigate the effect of nutrient content on microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). Wire rope tests were carried out for a similar variation of environmental conditions as the chain tests. A range of specimens including individual wire strands, and wire rope sections with varying levels of blocking compound, jacketing and galvanic protection were subject to exposure for a period of three years and 6 months. An extensive industry-wide survey of in-service and retired mooring components was also carried out to supplement these experiments. A standardised procedure for corrosion inspection was distributed to participants and a database of detailed wire rope and chain corrosion measurements was collated from approximately 30 floating production units (FPUs) operating in tropical waters in Asia, Africa and the Americas. Some recovered specimens were subject to more extensive examination, including 3D laser scanning and tensile break tests. The SCORCH JIP advanced knowledge in the field of mooring corrosion by providing guidance on inspection and integrity management methodologies, unique insight into the factors affecting the corrosion performance of steel wire rope and mooring chain, and generalised predictive corrosion models for the assessment of mooring corrosion. These recommendations are presented in the following paper.
2018 Melchers RE, Ahammed M, 'Maximum pit depth variability in water injection pipelines', Proceedings of the Twenty-eighth (2018) International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Sapporo, Japan (2018) [E1]
2018 Watt MA, Melchers RE, Jeffrey R, 'Long-term corrosion of steel chains on Pacific Ocean beach sand', Corrosion & Prevention 2018, Adelaide, SA (2018) [E1]
2018 Petersen RB, Melchers RE, 'The influence of soil moisture on the corrosion of mild steel in clays after one year of exposure', Corrosion & Prevention 2018, Adelaide, SA (2018) [E1]
2018 Jardim do Nascimento B, Chaves I, Masia MJ, Melchers RE, 'Long-term atmospheric corrosion of mortar embedded wall-ties', Corrosion & Prevention 2018, Adelaide, SA (2018) [E1]
2018 Melchers R, Petersen RB, Wells T, 'Further new interpretations of the corrosion of ferrous metals in soils', Corrosion & Prevention 2018, Adelaide, SA (2018) [E1]
2018 Liang MX, Melchers RE, Chaves IA, 'Pitting corrosion of 5005 aluminium alloys in the temperate seawater immersion environment', Corrosion and Prevention 2018, Adelaide, SA (2018) [E1]
2018 Chaves IA, Melchers R, 'Failure Prediction of Mild-Steel Welds due to Climate Change Influenced Marine Corrosion', Proceedings of the 28th International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Sapporo, Japan (2018) [E1]
2018 Melchers RE, Chaves IA, 'Durability of reinforced concrete bridges in marine environments', MAINTENANCE, SAFETY, RISK, MANAGEMENT AND LIFE-CYCLE PERFORMANCE OF BRIDGES, Swinburne Univ Technol, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA (2018)
2017 Cartwright BK, Groenenboom PHL, Renilson MR, Melchers RE, 'Exploiting particle methods to investigate the structural integrity of maritime platforms', 9th Australasian Congress on Applied Mechanics, ACAM 2017 (2017)
© 2017 National Committee on Applied Mechanics. All Rights Reserved. Maritime assets such as ships and offshore platforms are major investments. Their effective management is impo... [more]
© 2017 National Committee on Applied Mechanics. All Rights Reserved. Maritime assets such as ships and offshore platforms are major investments. Their effective management is important. Their management plans should optimise asset availability, effective lifetime and functionality and reduce downtime for repairs. Together these aspects will improve safety, risk-management and cost-effectiveness. Difficult aspects relate to the wave loading on the asset and how to accurately model this both at any point in time, and over a period of time. This paper addresses recent developments in smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) technology that significantly improve the modelling of dynamic fluid environments, including the ocean wave environment for maritime applications. The improved modelling of the wave environment enables the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) of a floating structure and the waves to be assessed. From this FSI and using finite element analysis techniques, the potential for non-linear failure behaviours in critical load-bearing structures can be predicted with greater confidence. Specific enhancements to SPH algorithms discussed herein are spatially-varied initial particle distributions, pressure correction, particle re-distributions, gravity initialisation, pressure sensors and translating active domains. Also discussed are practical aspects of the implementation that improve the ease of modelling real-world scenario such as contact interfaces, damping zones and wave making concepts. The connection between these SPH enhancements and existing features in commercial finite element analysis packages facilitate the implementation of the new assessment approach for maritime assets.
2017 Chaves IA, Fiedler T, Melchers RE, Taherishargh M, 'Corrosion trials of composite perlite aluminium foam', EUROCORR 2017 - The Annual Congress of the European Federation of Corrosion, 20th International Corrosion Congress and Process Safety Congress 2017 (2017)
© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, Weinheim. All rights reserved. Lightweight composite materials such as syntactic perlite aluminium foams have been gaining much atte... [more]
© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. All rights reserved. Lightweight composite materials such as syntactic perlite aluminium foams have been gaining much attention from the automotive, aerospace and nautical industries due to their superior mechanical and energy absorbing properties. Yet, there is still no empirical evidence of its mechanical performance under extreme corrosive marine environments. This study reports on 18 month corrosion field trials of such composite foam immersed in natural temperate marine waters off the southeast coast of Australia. Further, natural fresh water corrosion trials were also performed on the foams in order to quantify potential long-term phenomenological factors. Unloading Young's modulus, 1% offset yield stress as well as plateau stress after exposure fall within the scatter of previously reported unexposed samples. The results indicate no short-term loss of mechanical performance for natural exposure conditions. Reasons and implications are discussed.
Thomas Fiedler, Igor Chaves
2017 Chaves IA, Krismer S, Melchers RE, 'Short and long-term effect of HAZ microstructure on the marine corrosion of low-carbon steel weldments', EUROCORR 2017 - The Annual Congress of the European Federation of Corrosion, 20th International Corrosion Congress and Process Safety Congress 2017 (2017)
© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, Weinheim. All rights reserved. Welds on mild and low alloy steels exposed to the marine environment are known to be prone to high le... [more]
© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. All rights reserved. Welds on mild and low alloy steels exposed to the marine environment are known to be prone to high levels of corrosion. Pitting usually is the critical form of attack. Quantification of the relative and absolute maximum pit depths that occur is important for predicting future and remaining structural life but long term data is scarce. This study reports on a comparison of pit depths measurements on longitudinally welded mild steel exposed for 3.5 years to samples of homogeneous microstructure that simulate the various microstructural regions present in a heat affected zone. Samples from a normalized fine grained mild steel pipe were heat treated to produce a coarse grain microstructure, a spheroidised microstructure, a quenched microstructure, and a quenched and tempered microstructure. All data sets are from samples immersed in natural temperate marine waters off the southeast coast of Australia. The observed results provide support for the notion that the microstructural changes induced within the heat affected zone of a weld do contribute to increased corrosion rates in this region. Reasons and implications are discussed.
2017 Wang X, Melchers RE, 'The relative influence of MIC in the channelling corrosion of water injection pipelines (WIPs)', EUROCORR 2017 - The Annual Congress of the European Federation of Corrosion, 20th International Corrosion Congress and Process Safety Congress 2017 (2017)
© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, Weinheim. All rights reserved. Water injection of sea and other waters is widely used in the oil and gas extraction industry to incr... [more]
© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. All rights reserved. Water injection of sea and other waters is widely used in the oil and gas extraction industry to increase the production from individual, nearly depleted, wells. In some cases severe internal corrosion, mainly at the 6 o'clock position has been observed. This may threaten the safety of the pipelines. In other cases corrosion was found to be very mild, even though superficially the operational conditions are very similar. Field observations have shown a high presence of various bacteria associated with corrosion present in all pipelines. Some operators inject nitrate along the pipes into the wells. Earlier detailed examination of several field cases proposed the main driver of channelling corrosion is under-deposit corrosion and that MIC may contribute to this if nitrate injection is used. This concept was investigated in an experimental study using scale model carbon steel pipe specimens with deposits and simulated deoxygenated seawater environment. Variables include the use of fresh seawater, seawater treated with filtration and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and seawater with added nitrates. After 180 and 360 days exposure the specimens showed increased corrosion under deposits for natural seawater and even more for seawater with added nitrate. The results are consistent with observations for corrosion in polluted seawaters. Together with periods during which deposits can form, they provide a rational explanation for channelling corrosion.
2017 Melchers RE, Chaves I, Pape T, 'Long term durability of reinforcement in Class A and Class B concretes in Pacific Ocean marine environment', EUROCORR 2017 - The Annual Congress of the European Federation of Corrosion, 20th International Corrosion Congress and Process Safety Congress 2017 (2017)
© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, Weinheim. All rights reserved. This paper compares the actual field performance of 293 Class B reinforced concrete headstocks suppor... [more]
© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. All rights reserved. This paper compares the actual field performance of 293 Class B reinforced concrete headstocks supporting 879 Class A reinforced concrete piles. These formed the substructure of a bridge constructed in 1935 and exposed for more than 80 years to tropical Pacific Ocean coastline conditions. Field inspections of the bridge at various stages during its life showed that the Class B concretes exhibited signs indicating active reinforcement corrosion after 50 years service but the Class A concretes exhibited few signs of active reinforcement corrosion. Records and historical information show that the only significant difference between the concretes is that the Class A concretes were made with higher cement contents than the Class B concretes. Visual inspection when the bridge was demolished in 2012 indicated no obvious differences in workmanship. Investigations of the concrete and the reinforcement steel at various times during the operational life of the bridge are reported. The results are consistent with recent laboratory observations that clearly indicate the importance of adequate alkalinity (pH buffering capacity) reserves to ensure durable reinforcement in concrete structures.
2017 Petersen RB, Melchers RE, 'Model for the long-term corrosion of cast iron pipes buried in soil', Life-Cycle of Engineering Systems: Emphasis on Sustainable Civil Infrastructure - 5th International Symposium on Life-Cycle Engineering, IALCCE 2016, Delft, The Netherlands (2017) [E1]
2017 Cartwright B, Melchers R, Aksu S, Magoga T, Song CM, McGuckin D, Renilson M, 'Structural integrity of maritime platforms', RINA, Royal Institution of Naval Architects - PACIFIC 2017 International Maritime Conference (2017)
© 2017 Royal Institution of Naval Architects. All rights reserved. Maritime assets are major investments. Their effective management is a very important factor in not only optimis... [more]
© 2017 Royal Institution of Naval Architects. All rights reserved. Maritime assets are major investments. Their effective management is a very important factor in not only optimising asset availability, effective lifetime, and functionality, but also reducing downtime for repairs. This paper presents a project that aims to develop an improved understanding of the structural degradation of naval and other vessels. Using an in-service ship as the study platform, structural degradation due to corrosion and fatigue within a representative environment is considered. Seaway loads, based on the operational profile of the ship, are applied to a finite element model to obtain the global and localised structural responses. Thus, stress-critical areas can be identified. Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics is employed to model the fluid-structure interactions. Further, observational and experimental corrosion data is included to estimate the load-bearing capacity, the remaining safety margin, and the remaining service-life at different stages of the life-cycle of the ship.
2017 Wells T, Melchers RE, 'Modelling the life-cycle of concrete gravity sewers subject to microbial corrosion', Life-Cycle of Engineering Systems: Emphasis on Sustainable Civil Infrastructure - 5th International Symposium on Life-Cycle Engineering, IALCCE 2016, Delft, The Netherlands (2017) [E1]
2017 Chaves IA, Melchers RE, 'Microstructural effect on the marine corrosion of low-carbon steel weldments', Mechanics of Structures and Materials: Advancements and Challenges - Proceedings of the 24th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, ACMSM24 2016, Perth, Australia (2017) [E1]
2017 Melchers RE, 'Developing realistic deterioration models', Life-Cycle of Engineering Systems: Emphasis on Sustainable Civil Infrastructure - 5th International Symposium on Life-Cycle Engineering, IALCCE 2016, Delft, The Netherlands (2017) [E1]
2017 Melchers RE, 'Physical, chemical and microbiological processes in the long term corrosion of steel and cast iron infrastructure', Mechanics of Structures and Materials: Advancements and Challenges - Proceedings of the 24th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, ACMSM24 2016, Perth, Australia (2017) [E1]
2017 Liang M, Chaves IA, Melchers RE, 'Long-Term Marine Pitting Corrosion of AlMgSi Aluminium Alloys', Corrosion and Prevention, Sydney, Australia (2017) [E1]
2017 Chernov BB, Chaves IA, Nugmanov AM, Melchers RE, 'Comparative Marine Immersion Corrosion of Ship Construction Steels Exposed in Arctic and Temperate Waters', Corrosion and Prevention 2017, Sydney, Australia (2017) [E1]
2017 Jeffrey R, Melchers RE, 'The effect of coastal seawater temperature on corrosion of steel with different carbon contents', Corrosion and Prevention 2017, Sydney, Australia (2017) [E1]
2017 Wells T, Melchers R, 'Findings of a 7 year field study of concrete sewer pipe corrosion', Corrosion and Prevention 2017, Sydney, Australia (2017) [E1]
2017 Petersen RB, Melchers RE, 'The influence of soil moisture on the corrosion of mild steel in clays', Corrosion and Prevention 2017, Sydney, Australia (2017) [E1]
2017 Soltani Asadi Z, Melchers RE, 'Evaluation of the surface topography of corroded old cast iron pipes', Corrosion and Prevention 2017, Sydney, Australia (2017) [E1]
2017 Melchers RE, Jeffrey R, 'Corrosion of steels under low D.O. Concentration and elevated temperature', Corrosion and Prevention 2017, Sydney, Australia (2017) [E1]
2016 Melchers RE, Potts AE, Yaghin AL, 'Wear and corrosion of FPSO mooring chains', PRADS 2016 - Proceedings of the 13th International Symposium on PRActical Design of Ships and Other Floating Structures (2016)
The design rules for FPSO mooring chain are empirical, derived mainly from experience in North Sea operations. This paper reports on aspects of a major industry-sponsored investig... [more]
The design rules for FPSO mooring chain are empirical, derived mainly from experience in North Sea operations. This paper reports on aspects of a major industry-sponsored investigation to ascertain the adequacy of these rules for moorings in the Tropics and what new rules might be needed. The detailed outcomes of the project and the proposals for new design rules are still under discussion and embargo. However, an overview is given of the research program underpinning the results and specifically of the corrosion testing program and the full-scale wear-testing program. Also, in an associated but separately funded test program laboratory wear tests were conducted on scale-model chains. Some results from the model tests are described also.
2016 Mokhtari M, Melchers RE, 'Advanced numerical method for failure assessment of corroded steel pipes', Proceedings of the Twenty-sixth (2016) International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Rhodes, Greece (2016) [E1]
2016 Melchers R, Chaves IA, Lotfollahi Yaghin A, 'Studies of Iter-link Cyclic Wear of Axially Loaded Mooring Chains', Proceedings of the Twelfth (2016) Pacific-Asia Offshore Mechanics Symposium, Gold Coast, QLD (2016) [E1]
2016 Petersen RB, Nicholas D, Melchers R, Chaves I, Davies S, 'Relationship between microstructure and elemental segregation to the long-term corrosion performance of cast iron water pipes', Corrosion and Prevention, Auckland, New Zealand (2016) [E1]
2016 Petersen RB, Melchers R, 'Predicting the corrosion of cast iron pipes', Proceedings of OzWater'16, Melbourne (2016) [E1]
2016 Petersen RB, Melchers R, 'Factors involved in the long-term corrosion of buried cast iron', Proceedings of Corrosion and Prevention 2016, Auckland, New Zealand (2016) [E1]
2016 Melchers R, Petersen RB, 'Romanoff's soil corrosion data deconstructed', Proceedings of Corrosion and Prevention 2016, Auckland, New Zealand (2016) [E1]
2016 Melchers R, Chaves IA, 'A study of initiation and active reinforcement corrosion in conventional reinforced concrete', Proceedings of Corrosion and Prevention 2016, Auckland, New Zealand (2016) [E1]
2016 Jeffrey R, Melchers RE, 'Identification of bacterial types in various atmospheric corrosion sites using standard test kits', Proceedings of Corrosion and Prevention 2016, Auckland, New Zealand (2016) [E1]
2016 Melchers RE, Wang X, 'Extreme value analysis of carbon steel pitting corrosion under deoxygenated seawater', Proceedings of Corrosion and Prevention 2016, Auckland, New Zealand (2016) [E1]
2016 Liang M, Chaves IA, Melchers R, 'Long-term pitting corrosion of 6060 aluminium alloy immersed in natural seawater', Proceedings of Corrosion and Prevention 2016, Auckland, New Zealand (2016) [E1]
2016 Wang X, Melchers RE, 'Long-term under-deposit corrosion of carbon steel pipelines under stagnant seawater', Proceedings of the Twenty-sixth (2016) International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Rhodes, Greece (2016) [E1]
2016 Melchers RE, Ahammed M, 'Pitting corrosion of offshore water injection steel pipelines', Proceedings of the Twenty-sixth (2016) International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Rhodes, Greece (2016) [E1]
2016 Jeffrey R, Melchers RE, 'The effect of aluminium alloying on the corrosion resistance of cast steel', European Corrosion Congress, EUROCORR 2016 (2016)
© 2016 Curran Associates Inc. All rights reserved. There is some evidence that the addition of small amount of aluminium can reduce the atmospheric corrosion of steel. However, sy... [more]
© 2016 Curran Associates Inc. All rights reserved. There is some evidence that the addition of small amount of aluminium can reduce the atmospheric corrosion of steel. However, systematic long-term investigations are lacking. There also appears to be no information about resistance of such alloys to marine immersion conditions. This paper reports on the marine environment corrosion performance of steel alloyed with aluminium additions of 0% (control), 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%. The cast steel was forged into billets and machined into coupons. Sets of coupons were exposed to three exposure conditions: (a) in temperate seawater for 1, 2 and 3 years, (b) submerged below the mud-line for 1,2 and 3 years and (c) exposed at two extremely severe atmospheric marine locations for 12 months. The results show that the increase in Al content reduced corrosion loss in submerged conditions from 10.5% after one year to 2.8% after 3 years. In the coastal atmosphere, corrosion loss dropped from 5.5% after one year with no Al addition to 1.2% with 8% Al alloying. The corrosion resistance in marine mud buried conditions was less favourable. Corrosion loss reduced from 4.4% after one year to 2.9% after 2 years but in some instance the addition of Al had minimal or no effect on corrosion resistance. These observations add to the body of knowledge regarding the effect of aluminium on long-term corrosion loss.
2016 Melchers RE, 'MIC of cast iron infrastructure', European Corrosion Congress, EUROCORR 2016 (2016)
© 2016 Curran Associates Inc. All rights reserved. Cast iron was a construction material widely used for major infrastructure from the mid-late 1800s. Many existing functioning ro... [more]
© 2016 Curran Associates Inc. All rights reserved. Cast iron was a construction material widely used for major infrastructure from the mid-late 1800s. Many existing functioning road and railway bridges still have cast iron piers supporting them but a question of increasing importance is the rate at which the piers are deteriorating and thus their structural safety and life expectancy. Similarly, much older water supply pipeline systems in most major cities include extensive lengths of cast iron pipe. Cast iron is a surprisingly durable material but has long been suspected of being prone to MIC in wet poorly aerated conditions. Despite much research on MIC no direct link appears to have been established between MIC of cast iron and bacteria. The present paper reports recent field investigations of 4 sets of cast iron bridge piers in tidal seawater conditions that showed good correlation between accelerated low water corrosion (ALWC) and nutrient content in the seawater, similarly to what was demonstrated recently for steel sheet piling in seawater harbours. In one case the nutrient pollution is is likely to have occurred many years ago and to have left its legacy in the pile corrosion profile. For cast iron water pipes, preliminary analysis has shown correlation between soil nitrate content and greater than expected long-term corrosion loss, for pipes up to 129 years old. In the case of soils, nitrates are possibly part of the soil structure, introduced by the nitrogen cycle, or the result of pollution such as from fertilizers.
2016 Chaves IA, Melchers RE, 'Predicting Long Term Mild-Steel Weld Capacity Loss due to Climate Change Influenced Marine Corrosion', IIW 2016 Proceedings, Melbourne (2016) [E1]
2015 Melchers RE, 'Bi-model character for copper alloy corrosion and implications for long-Term MIC', European Corrosion Congress, EUROCORR 2015 (2015)
The long-Term corrosion of copper and copper alloys, such as 90:10 Cu-Ni, is of interest for their use in domestic and industrial piping systems, marine, urban and industrial envi... [more]
The long-Term corrosion of copper and copper alloys, such as 90:10 Cu-Ni, is of interest for their use in domestic and industrial piping systems, marine, urban and industrial environments including atmospheric and also as part of the containment of nuclear wastes in deep geological repositories. The evolution of the mass loss and maximum pit depth with increased exposure time is reviewed using data previously published in the literature. That data is re-interpreted. It shows that the classical 'power law' is not an appropriate model for corrosion evolution with time. However the data mainly are more consistent with the bi-modal model previously shown to apply to steels of various types and also to aluminium and aluminium alloys. The reasons for this are proposed as the result of the corrosion process changing from initially predominantly rate-controlled by the cathodic oxygen reaction and the diffusion of oxygen through some of the layers of corrosion product to, in the longer term, rate- controlled by products and processes involved in cathodic hydrogen reduction and the dissociation of water. This can occur for copper alloys but not for pure copper. In both cases pitting is a crucial aspect for the changing nature of the corrosion process. This new interpretation has implications for prediction of long-Term corrosion from short-Term observations. It provides an explanation for the frustration noted in the copper corrosion literature for the inability to predict long-Term behaviour from short-Term and electrochemical testing. It permits examination and reconciliation of the well-known influence of water pollution in causing MIC and accelerated (mainly pitting) corrosion of important copper alloys such as 90:10 CuNi.
2015 Lee TM, Melchers RE, Beech IB, Potts AE, Kilner AA, 'Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) of mooring systems: Diagnostic techniques to improve mooring integrity', 20th Offshore Symposium 2015: Future Offshore Technology and Sustained Reliability (2015)
Copyright 2015, The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is the term used to describe corrosion where the presence and ac... [more]
Copyright 2015, The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is the term used to describe corrosion where the presence and activity of microorganisms accelerates the corrosion rate or modifies the mechanism of corrosion. MIC is strongly associated with the high rates of localized pitting corrosion observed on moorings installed in some offshore fields, including fields in West Africa and South East Asia. Diagnosis of MIC in the field can be problematic, and is largely reliant on visual inspection and microbiological reactivity tests, techniques that are limited in their accuracy and reliability. As a result, other forms of corrosion and wear can be easily misdiagnosed as MIC, with potential negative consequences for the subsequent management of the integrity of the mooring system. This paper presents an overview of the most recent research regarding factors influencing rates of conventional corrosion and MIC (as determined within the SCORCH JIP). It describes recent advances in the application of functional genetic and chemical analysis techniques to diagnose MIC, improve understand of the biochemical processes causing MIC, and identify pathways to interrupt and mitigate MIC on mooring components.
2015 Melchers RE, 'Inter-relationship between physical-chemical processes and extreme value modelling', 12th International Conference on Applications of Statistics and Probability in Civil Engineering, ICASP 2015 (2015)
Of considerable interest in various industries such as aerospace is the longer term safety of aluminium alloy structures and the effect of deterioration. Corrosion of aluminium al... [more]
Of considerable interest in various industries such as aerospace is the longer term safety of aluminium alloy structures and the effect of deterioration. Corrosion of aluminium alloys occurs mainly as pitting for which uncertainty and variability issues usually have led to maximum pit depth being considered a random variable that is also a function of time. An extreme value distribution is fitted to the statistical data obtained from multiple observations. Usually, the selection of the most appropriate model is based on the claim that one or other distribution is a 'better fit' to the data. This classical approach takes no account of prior knowledge of the underlying physicochemical process(es) that drive pitting behaviour. A more sophisticated approach uses such prior understanding. Recently it was shown that the linear model implied by the 'pitting rate' is too simplistic. Instead, a bi-modal model better represents both mass-loss as a function of exposure period and the evolution of maximum pit depth with time. This leads directly the possibility that one distribution may not be suitable for the whole range of pit depth data. These concepts are illustrated with examples.
2015 Melchers RE, 'On the bi-modal long-term characteristic for metallic corrosion', Australasian Corrosion Association Annual Conference: Corrosion and Prevention 2015, ACA 2015 (2015) [E1]
The bi-modal characteristic of general or &apos;uniform&apos; corrosion, or corrosion as measured by mass loss, as a function of exposure time now has been demonstrated extensivel... [more]
The bi-modal characteristic of general or 'uniform' corrosion, or corrosion as measured by mass loss, as a function of exposure time now has been demonstrated extensively for various steels including low alloy, chromium and weathering steels, cast irons and, more recently also for aluminium alloys and for copper alloys. Also, it usually is independent of the environment. Further, it also occurs for the trend in maximum pitting as a function of time. This wide applicability demands explanation. Previously it was argued that the bi-modal character is the result of a change, at the metal-environment interface, from predominantly oxygen-rich corrosion conditions to predominantly locally anoxic corrosion conditions. It was argued also that pitting plays an important role in this process. Herein these concepts are extended from accepted theory for pitting under nominally oxic conditions that, within pits, become anoxic and causes the pitting process to become autocatalytic but eventually to lead to cessation of pit depth growth. There are two key outcomes. The first is the observation that pits grow episodically, that is, they grow in depth to a given limit, grow sideways and possibly amalgamate or coalesce, leaving plateaus of corroded surface in which new pitting can occur. The cycle time for this is faster under already anoxic conditions than earlier when it takes time for anoxic conditions to develop. The second outcome is that mass loss as a function of time is a function both of the pit depth and thus the pitting process and the increase in the number of pits with time. A considerable body of observational evidence is available to support these mechanisms. There also are well-developed theories that already explain the component mechanisms.
2015 Rajabipour A, Melchers RE, 'Service life of pitted pipes subject to pressure fluctuations and hydrogen embrittlement', Australasian Corrosion Association Annual Conference: Corrosion and Prevention 2015, ACA 2015 (2015) [E1]
For estimating the likely service life of brittle material pipes with exterior corrosion pits and subject to hydrogen embrittlement crack propagation from the pits is of interest.... [more]
For estimating the likely service life of brittle material pipes with exterior corrosion pits and subject to hydrogen embrittlement crack propagation from the pits is of interest. Similarity of pattern of fatigue cracking from these pits under pressure fluctuations to that under monotonically increasing pressure is referred to. This similarity permits the effect of hydrogen on the cracking rate to be formulated. The depth of cracks initiated from surface pits is estimated as a function of pipe service time, based on the proposed formulation for Hydrogen-Assisted Fatigue Cracking.
2015 Chaves IA, Wilson LJ, Melchers RE, 'Influence of climate change on long-term marine corrosion prediction', Australasian Corrosion Association Annual Conference: Corrosion and Prevention 2015, ACA 2015 (2015) [E1]
Increasingly climate change, including the possible rise of seawater surface temperatures is causing some concern regarding the integrity of commercial and industrial structures i... [more]
Increasingly climate change, including the possible rise of seawater surface temperatures is causing some concern regarding the integrity of commercial and industrial structures in marine exposed environments. Structural integrity (serviceability and safety) may be compromised by the increased rates of corrosion reactions caused by increased average temperatures. Immersed structural systems also may be prone to microbiologically influenced corrosion. In this paper, three different extrapolation techniques are used to model expected corrosion loss. They are based on the same set of short-term empirical mass loss data for 1 year exposures. The results are compared with mass loss data obtained from steel piling exposed for 33 years. It is shown that the extrapolations from short term data can be very significantly in error compared with actual observations and with better modelling approaches. The effects of temperature increase and of increased microbiological influences are considered as part of the investigation.
2015 Jeffrey R, Melchers RE, 'Atmospheric corrosion of mild steel vertical prisms, rounds and flat coupons of different shape and size', Australasian Corrosion Association Annual Conference: Corrosion and Prevention 2015, ACA 2015 (2015) [E1]
Atmospheric corrosivity typically is determined by deploying flat coupons and measuring mass loss over a specific period (usually a year) and then deriving a material loss rate (t... [more]
Atmospheric corrosivity typically is determined by deploying flat coupons and measuring mass loss over a specific period (usually a year) and then deriving a material loss rate (typically expressed as microns/year). Usually mild steel but also zinc, copper and aluminium coupons have been used. The derived corrosion loss is used to gauge the susceptibility of infrastructure, such as bridges and buildings, to corrosion. Previously it was shown that slightly different corrosion rates are obtained with coupons of different sizes even under identical exposure environments. From a practical perspective the question arises what size and shape of coupon most accurately reflects corrosion to be expected on realistic steel infrastructure in corresponding environments. Results from previous and new exposure trials are compared to estimate the effect of coupon size over a two year exposure period. Also, the effect of shape and size of round and prismatic specimens is investigated. The results show that larger coupon surface areas yield lower corrosion losses. The latter are considered more relevant for accurate estimation of likely corrosion losses for infrastructure.
2015 Soltani Asadi Z, Melchers RE, 'Probabilistic modelling of pit area in corroded cast iron pipes', Australasian Corrosion Association Annual Conference: Corrosion and Prevention 2015, ACA 2015 (2015) [E1]
The deterioration of cement lined cast iron water mains such as used extensively in cities in Australia and many other cities world-wide has been observed to be mainly caused by e... [more]
The deterioration of cement lined cast iron water mains such as used extensively in cities in Australia and many other cities world-wide has been observed to be mainly caused by external pitting corrosion. Since the pipes are buried and thus cannot c be inspected visually, there is considerable uncertainty about their condition. Indirect inspection techniques also have a high degree of uncertainty. For these reasons there is interest in long-term asset management to develop realistic models for depth and area of pitting corrosion to aid estimation of the probability of failure of older pipes. Generally it is considered that the deepest pits are of most interest in relation to failure. However, pit area is another important factor, which is crucial for estimating the rate of leakage and for assessing the mechanical behaviour and failure probability of pipes. Previous studies usually have assumed that pit area is directly related to pit depth. The present study examines pit area data collected from several pipes that have experienced many years of service (up to 129 years) and describes the relationship between pit areas and pit depths.
2015 Petersen RB, Melchers RE, 'The bi-modal corrosion behaviour of ferrous metals buried in soil', Australasian Corrosion Association Annual Conference: Corrosion and Prevention 2015, ACA 2015 (2015) [E1]
Long-term corrosion loss data for a variety of metals, including ferrous metals, buried in soils were reported in Romanoff (1957) and have often been quoted in the literature. The... [more]
Long-term corrosion loss data for a variety of metals, including ferrous metals, buried in soils were reported in Romanoff (1957) and have often been quoted in the literature. There have been few investigations of the long-term trending of the data. Herein it is shown that the corrosion behaviour of ferrous metals buried in the ground follows a bi-modal trend with time. This trend is observed for a variety of ferrous metals in many different natural environments. Similar trends have been reported also for other exposure environments. Importantly, it indicates that the corrosion process changes over time. This is illustrated for corrosion mass loss and corrosion penetration for a variety of data sets drawn from Romanoff (1957).
2015 Melchers RE, 'Internal corrosion of parked steel oil pipelines', Australasian Corrosion Association Annual Conference: Corrosion and Prevention 2015, ACA 2015 (2015) [E1]
Internal corrosion of steel pipelines before use, or temporarily taken out of use, and &apos;parked&apos; on the seafloor for some time (months) continues to be an issue for offsh... [more]
Internal corrosion of steel pipelines before use, or temporarily taken out of use, and 'parked' on the seafloor for some time (months) continues to be an issue for offshore operators. This is irrespective of whether the pipes are oil production or water injection pipelines. Most commonly, severe pitting corrosion is observed at the 6 o'clock position. The conventional wisdom is that this is the result of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). Indeed high concentrations of various bacteria have been found in the rusts in these pipes. The usual response is dosing with biocides but such treatment has been found to be not always very effective. It also may have environmental consequences if released to the sea when the pipe is put back into service or is abandoned. This paper reviews the available open literature on this topic and compares with previous findings for the severe internal corrosion at the 6 o'clock position sometimes found for water injection pipelines. This earlier work shows that periods of stagnant conditions with deposition of rusts and other debris at the bottom of (near-) horizontal pipes is the most likely reason for the severe corrosion sometimes observed. MIC can contribute to that corrosion but is not necessarily the major influence. Much depends on water quality. It is proposed that there are considerable similarities in the corrosion behaviour of parked oil pipelines and water injection pipelines and that there are considerable avenues for further research and development.
2015 Wang X, Melchers RE, 'Corrosion of carbon steel under mixed deposits in simulated deoxygenated seawater environment', Australasian Corrosion Association Annual Conference: Corrosion and Prevention 2015, ACA 2015 (2015) [E1]
Injecting seawater (and other water) into oil reservoirs to promote the rates of production is widely used in the offshore oil and gas industry. This is done using carbon steel wa... [more]
Injecting seawater (and other water) into oil reservoirs to promote the rates of production is widely used in the offshore oil and gas industry. This is done using carbon steel water injection pipelines (WIPs) for which internal corrosion sometimes is a major problem. Field experience often shows severe corrosion at the bottom part of the pipelines. This is known as channelling corrosion, 6 o'clock corrosion or bottom of the line corrosion. Field observations also show the presence of deposits at the 6 o'clock position and evidence of bacterial activity and both under-deposit corrosion (UDC) and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) usually are suspected. Some WIPs treated with nitrate show more severe channelling corrosion than those without nitrate addition. This is contradictory with the primary purpose of adding nitrate to try to suppress the metabolism of aggressive sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) within the oil reservoir. To date, the mechanism of channelling corrosion is not fully understood. The present work reports an experimental pilot study of the corrosion of carbon steel specimens under mixed deposits and simulated deoxygenated seawater environment. The influence of the presence of deposits, the treatment of seawater by filtration and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and the addition of nitrate were evaluated by exposing carbon steel specimens to different test environments. The steel specimens were recovered from experimental vessels after 180 days and 365 days of exposure. The surface topography changes of steel surfaces were examined by stereo microscopy. The development of pitting under different test environments and the relative contributions to the formation of channelling corrosion are discussed.
2015 Yaghin AL, Melchers RE, 'Wear of axially loaded chains in dry and wet conditions', Proceedings of the International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference (2015) [E1]
Copyright © 2015 by the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE). The safety of mooring lines used for maritime floating structures is of considerable importa... [more]
Copyright © 2015 by the International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE). The safety of mooring lines used for maritime floating structures is of considerable importance since they may be damaged by storm waves and by material deterioration. This paper considers chain wear and reports on results of a study on the effect of water on wear rate of chains. For this purpose, a specially-designed laboratory test rig was used to wear the surfaces of inter-link zones of chain sets under static axial load. The results show that tensile force has a significant but nonlinear effect on wear rate and that wet conditions reduce the wear rate to a considerable extent.
2015 Rosen J, Jayasinghe K, Potts A, Melchers R, Chaplin R, 'SCORCH JIP - Findings from investigations into mooring chain and wire rope corrosion in warm waters', Proceedings of the Annual Offshore Technology Conference (2015)
Copyright © (2015) by the Offshore Technology Conference All rights reserved. For years operators have reported accelerated rates of corrosion in wire rope and chain in warmer wat... [more]
Copyright © (2015) by the Offshore Technology Conference All rights reserved. For years operators have reported accelerated rates of corrosion in wire rope and chain in warmer waters. Mooring design codes specify corrosion endurance of these components predominantly based on experience from the colder waters of the North Sea. The scope of the SCORCH JIP was to investigate and characterize corrosion of steel chain and wire rope moorings for a wide range of operating Floating Production Units (FPUs) and Floating Production Storage and Offtake vessels (FPSOs) in warm waters. A database was compiled of detailed corrosion measurements of in-service and retired mooring chains and wire ropes from about 30 FPUs operating in warm waters off Asia, Africa and the Americas. A set of standardized procedures were developed for forensic examinations of retrieved chain and wire rope, including photogrammetry and laboratory measurements that allowed 3D reconstruction and statistical analysis of corroded surfaces. The database was complemented by destructive tensile tests of a number of samples in order to correlate the observed degradation with residual breaking load. The SCORCH JIP also investigated the impact of sea temperature, water velocity, depth and oxygenation, steel grade and chain and wire rope construction through over 750 sample and full-scale tests spanning 3.5 years at sites around Australia. Additional laboratory tests were conducted into Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) and the combined effect of corrosion and wear of mooring chains. The SCORCH JIP has produced a series of findings with long-lasting implications for the industry, including detailed investigations of factors in corrosion such MIC, chain pitting, chain wear, wire rope blocking compound efficacy, and the effect of environmental and operating conditions. The SCORCH JIP has produced tabulated predictions for corrosion in varying temperatures, at positions in the mooring line and for nutrient levels that could encourage MIC. The predictions are underpinned by a large number of field experiments and results from operating FPUs, and are supplemented by detailed operational guidance and recommendations for maximizing mooring corrosion endurance.
2015 Dockrill B, Melchers R, Eliasson B, Linton S, Herron C, 'Structural risk assessment of corroding infrastructure', Australasian Corrosion Association Annual Conference: Corrosion and Prevention 2015, ACA 2015 (2015)
Structural risk is not the same as corrosion risk. Therefore once assessment of infrastructure confirms corrosion is active and the mechanism(s) of corrosion are understood then t... [more]
Structural risk is not the same as corrosion risk. Therefore once assessment of infrastructure confirms corrosion is active and the mechanism(s) of corrosion are understood then this does not necessarily indicate an unacceptable structural risk. Asset managers, infrastructure owners and stakeholders normally indicate a required service life requirement. An implicit requirement is meeting structural and other safety requirements as defined by Australian or other Standards. Maintenance and/or remedial work activities are only supported for the asset to achieve desired functionality, serviceability, safety, operational and commercial outcomes for its required service life. The paper explores the differences between structural and corrosion risk and how each of these risk types should be considered in the assessment, management and maintenance of infrastructure to meet required service life, structural safety and risk requirements. Some examples are used to illustrate this theme.
2015 Chaves IA, Melchers RE, 'Variability in Long-Term Corrosion of Mild Steel Tubular Sheet Piling', Proceedings of the Twenty-fifth (2015) International Ocean and Polar Engineering Conference, Hawaii, USA (2015) [E1]
2014 Fontaine E, Rosen J, Potts A, Ma KT, Melchers R, 'SCORCH JIP - Feedback on MIC and pitting corrosion from field recovered mooring chain links', Proceedings of the Annual Offshore Technology Conference (2014)
Copyright 2014, Offshore Technology Conference. Forensic investigations on severely corroded (pitted) chains recovered from the mooring systems of two FPUs in West Africa and Indo... [more]
Copyright 2014, Offshore Technology Conference. Forensic investigations on severely corroded (pitted) chains recovered from the mooring systems of two FPUs in West Africa and Indonesia are described. During the course of the SCORCH JIP, it became apparent that a similar phenomenon had been experienced by other JIP participants indicating that it may be a common problem deserving attention. The conclusion of the present investigation is that the large pits most likely can be attributed to Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC). Where pitting occurred, the pit depth growth rate was found in instances to be up to 10 times the uniform corrosion rate, with pits distributed approximately uniformly but randomly around the link and the bar circumference. Destructive tensile tests of the samples indicated residual strength that was at worst 25% below as-manufactured estimated As-new Breaking Load (ABL). The correlation of loss of strength with loss of metallic area due to uniform and pitting corrosion indicated that breaking load cannot be treated simplistically, and requires more sophisticated consideration of the pit geometry and its location with respect to areas of high stress within the link.
2014 Pape T, Melchers R, 'The chloride conundrum in concrete', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2014: Corrosion and Prevention 2014 (2014)
The number of publications relating to the good performance of older chloride-contaminated reinforced or prestressed concrete structures continues to rise. This contradicts the ma... [more]
The number of publications relating to the good performance of older chloride-contaminated reinforced or prestressed concrete structures continues to rise. This contradicts the majority of corrosion literature concerning structural concrete, which has continuously promoted the negative effects of chlorides since the 1960's. Various standards and guidelines reflect this sentiment, specifying empirical chloride threshold limits that are linked to corrosion risk levels. These have been adopted by industry to inform maintenance and repair procedures. It has also extended to an underlying view that detrimental corrosion may initiate and progress, which may be an incorrect assumption. To address this interpretation, a brief review is provided on the historical development of ideas and research behind chloride-contaminated concrete and associated corrosion-risk, and the subsequent establishment of accepted chloride limits. Results from 2 recent investigations relating to chloride-contaminated concrete are also discussed. A summary discussion on the implications and applications of these findings concludes the paper. This paper identifies that whilst chlorides remain an important consideration in the corrosion process, greater caution is required when assessing structural concrete for corrosion risk based purely on published chloride limits.
2014 Wells PA, Melchers RE, 'Findings of a 4 year study of concrete sewer pipe corrosion', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2014: Corrosion and Prevention 2014 (2014) [E1]
Microbial induced corrosion (MIC) of reinforced concrete sewer piping and manholes is a significant issue in Australia and overseas costing water authorities hundreds of millions ... [more]
Microbial induced corrosion (MIC) of reinforced concrete sewer piping and manholes is a significant issue in Australia and overseas costing water authorities hundreds of millions of dollars annually. It is anticipated that as the country's sewer infrastructure ages the problem will become more severe. Over the last 4 years an ARC and industry funded research project has been undertaken with the aim of building a mathematical model to predict the corrosion of concrete as a function of exposure time and environmental and operational conditions. After almost 4 years of field trials in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth sewers a detailed understanding of the evolution of the corrosion process has emerged and a phenomenological model has been developed. The present paper describes the study findings and their implication for pipe service life prediction.
2014 Asadi ZS, Melchers RE, 'STatistical modelling for pitting corrosion of cast iron pipelineS', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2014: Corrosion and Prevention 2014 (2014) [E1]
External corrosion is the main reason of the deterioration of cast iron water main in the Australia Water Industry. Prediction of the life time and the maximum pit depth which cau... [more]
External corrosion is the main reason of the deterioration of cast iron water main in the Australia Water Industry. Prediction of the life time and the maximum pit depth which causes failure can help to reduce the cost of water system maintenance. Due to the complexities of the mechanism of pitting as well as existence of numerous uncertainties, none of the conventional electrochemical approaches is capable of accurate prediction of pipe lifetime. This study, therefore, aims at investigating the maximum pit depth based on the probabilistic theory in order to assist with the prediction of the lifetime of pipelines. A probabilistic model based on the extreme value theory is suggested for this study. Real field data of pitting corrosion of a series of old underground pipelines have been gathered from some sites in Australia. Although Gumbel distribution has been widely employed for extrapolation of maximum pit depth of pipelines, analysis of these real data indicates that the variability of maximum pit depth in long- Term exposure fits the Frechet extreme value distribution. Moreover, results of this study show that for cases whose ages have been 30-50 years the maximum pit depth tends to follow one Frechet distribution, while two subsequent Frechet curves have been observed in the probabilistic distributions of data of cases which are older than 50-60 years.
2014 Wang X, Melchers RE, 'Laboratory study of under-deposit corrosion of steel pipelines in seawater environment', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2014: Corrosion and Prevention 2014 (2014) [E1]
Water injection is a practical and widely employed method to promote production for oil industry especially for mature oil reservoirs. For this seawater, aquifer water and produce... [more]
Water injection is a practical and widely employed method to promote production for oil industry especially for mature oil reservoirs. For this seawater, aquifer water and produced water (water recovered from crude oil) are most commonly used. Typically the water injection pipelines (WIP) are carbon steel and are not cathodically protected. The potential for pipeline failure caused by internal corrosion is an on-going concern for the industry. Corrosion mitigation methods include deoxygenation, corrosion inhibitors, biocides, and pigging. The most serious corrosion problem is channelling corrosion, known also as 6 o'clock corrosion or bottom of line corrosion, although it does not occur in all pipelines, for reasons not fully understood. It shows as aggressive corrosion at the bottom part of pipelines and is much more severe than corrosion elsewhere in WIPs. Recent assessment and monitoring of several water injection pipelines from the North Sea continental shelf obtained either by intelligent pigging tools or on-site bio-coupons has indicated that microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) and under-deposit corrosion are likely to be involved in channelling corrosion. Despite occasional industrial reports and conference papers, the comprehensive interpretation of this type of corrosion is still limited. The present paper outlines an experimental pilot study of under-deposit corrosion of mild steel model pipeline coupons exposed to deoxygenated natural seawater in simulated field conditions. Identical test rigs and different test scenarios were established to ascertain the influence of the presence of deposits, of water quality, surface roughness and nitrate addition. SEM observations of changes in surface topography for the first set of samples after 12 days exposure are reported. The paper also discusses the potential reasons of the formation process of channelling corrosion in water injection pipelines and the effect of early stage corrosion for long-term trends.
2014 Jeffrey R, Melchers RE, 'Five year observations of corrosion losses for steels at a severe marine atmospheric site', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2014: Corrosion and Prevention 2014 (2014) [E1]
Comprehensive new data for the effects of orientation, height and bold exposure versus shielding effects and detailed chronological observations and variability data for nominally... [more]
Comprehensive new data for the effects of orientation, height and bold exposure versus shielding effects and detailed chronological observations and variability data for nominally identical exposures of mild steel coupons all exposed at one site is presented. Previous investigations have been reported only for different sites and this raises difficulties in making comparisons and deductions. The present results have been obtained under the one local climatic regime for all coupons, thus providing a much more controlled environment within which to compare various effects. The present paper deals with the five-year results and compares these with information available in the literature. After three years most of the boldly exposed double-sided coupons had completely corroded but many single-sided coupons remained viable. The difference in corrosion behaviour between individual coupons exposed at different heights and vertical continuous single strips of steel is described. Moreover, the difference in corrosion losses for a continuous strip and for a series of coupons oriented in different directions is described. Furthermore, variability of nominally identically exposed coupons is reported.
2014 Melchers RE, 'Trends in long-term corrosion of aluminium alloys in marine, industrial and urban environments', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2014: Corrosion and Prevention 2014 (2014) [E1]
Aluminium alloys have excellent corrosion resistance including in seawater and marine conditions. Herein a wide range of literature data, including in-situ immersion, tidal, coast... [more]
Aluminium alloys have excellent corrosion resistance including in seawater and marine conditions. Herein a wide range of literature data, including in-situ immersion, tidal, coastal atmospheric and industrial exposures is examined. It is shown that while the classical power-law has been assumed, widely, to be valid as a model for the progression of corrosion, in the longer term corrosion of aluminium alloys is nearly always more consistent with the bi-modal model previously proposed only for the corrosion behaviour of steels in seawater and marine conditions, including in the atmosphere. Although aluminium alloys tend to pit rather than to corrode 'uniformly', the bi-modal trend applies irrespectively of whether mass loss, loss of tensile strength or the deepest pits are considered. It is proposed the bi-modal characteristic results from the accumulation of corrosion products causing localised anoxic conditions. These permit a change from predominantly cathodic oxygen reduction to hydrogen ion reduction under anoxic autocatalytic conditions within pits. This mechanism is consistent with established theory for pitting corrosion in aluminium, such as proposed many years ago by Wranglen. It is shown that maximum pit depths for very deep pits tend to follow the Frechet rather than the Gumbel Extreme Value distribution. This is consistent with what has been observed previously for steels.
2014 Jeffrey R, Melchers RE, 'A comparison of corrosion profiles of steel strips, coupons and chains', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2014: Corrosion and Prevention 2014 (2014) [E1]
Corrosion profiles for coupons and for single strips have been published previously and tend to show a distinct difference between the two. Corrosion of a continuous strip usually... [more]
Corrosion profiles for coupons and for single strips have been published previously and tend to show a distinct difference between the two. Corrosion of a continuous strip usually results in a flatter profile than that obtained for a set of individual coupons. Herein these results are compared with the corrosion of chain links in chains exposed through the tidal zone. Steel chains are used extensively in the marine industry and are subject to the same corrosive effects as other marine steel infrastructure. The matter of interest is whether chain links act as individual coupons or form part of a single strip as in electrically connected links of a chain. If the corrosion profile is similar to that of coupons, individual links will act as isolated cathode/anode couples and will corrode faster in the tidal zone than if the corrosion loss is spread over the entire length of the chain. The present paper presents corrosion profiles derived from lengths of nominally 10 mm diameter steel chains exposed at three geographical locations and compares these profiles to profiles obtained from single strips and sets of individual coupons exposed at the same or similar locations.
2014 Melchers RE, Chaves IA, 'New results for the corrosion of reinforcement in marine environments', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2014: Corrosion and Prevention 2014 (2014) [E1]
The apparently premature corrosion of steel reinforcement in reinforced concrete structures exposed to marine environments continues to be a matter of concern in practice despite ... [more]
The apparently premature corrosion of steel reinforcement in reinforced concrete structures exposed to marine environments continues to be a matter of concern in practice despite decades of research effort and much research funding expenditure and despite much practical experience. Herein results are reported of a long-term (10 year) study of the influence of alkalis on the corrosion initiation and progression of 6mm diam. reinforcing bars centrally embedded in 40x40x160mm concrete specimens. These were made with seawater as mixing water and with a variety of mix proportions including some with added alkalis. All were equally well compacted by vibration. After 10 years continuous exposure in a fog-room only a limited amount of corrosion initiation was observed. These results are in stark contrast with those reported in the famous paper by Shalon & Raphael (1959) who found serious corrosion of reinforcement after only 1-2 years exposure for all mixes. It is shown herein that the corrosion loss trends in those tests are similar to those of steel exposed directly to seawater. This indicates that in the 1959 tests the concrete provided little protection against reinforcement corrosion. The reasons for this are considered herein and the practical implications discussed.
2014 Petersen RB, Melchers RE, 'Long term corrosion of buried cast iron pipes in native soils', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2014: Corrosion and Prevention 2014 (2014) [E1]
The corrosion of old buried cast iron water mains is a problem for the Australian Water Industry. To better manage their assets the industry requires a way of predicting the remai... [more]
The corrosion of old buried cast iron water mains is a problem for the Australian Water Industry. To better manage their assets the industry requires a way of predicting the remaining service life of their pipes. In order to do this a predictive model of long-term corrosion loss with time is required. This paper describes ongoing work being conducted at The University of Newcastle to develop corrosion loss models for cast iron pipes in soils, as a function of exposure time and soil environment. A preliminary corrosion model was calibrated in a previous work, using a limited set of data collected from recent field work. This data base was extended in the current work by including data (of maximum pit depth and some soil properties) from historical condition assessments within the Hunter Water network. Previous studies by the authors (and others) indicate the significance of soil moisture content on the long-term corrosion loss and rate. At most sites soil moisture was only measured at a single point in time (or not at all), so the long-term average value of soil moisture (required for model calibration) was uncertain. To better estimate the average long-term soil moisture content, a simple climate-soil moisture model was developed. This paper presents the collected field data, describes the method for estimating long-term moisture content and presents the updated model calibration based on the additional data.
2014 Rosen J, Potts AE, Melchers RE, 'MIC and pitting corrosion on field recovered mooring chain links', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2014: Corrosion and Prevention 2014 (2014) [E1]
Forensic investigations were performed on chain links recovered from two FSO mooring systems in West Africa and Indonesia. Although these links were in tropical seawater for only ... [more]
Forensic investigations were performed on chain links recovered from two FSO mooring systems in West Africa and Indonesia. Although these links were in tropical seawater for only 7 years, they experienced extremely severe pitting corrosion not previously seen in any available records. The material presented has direct application to ensuring the integrity of mooring systems as it provides insight into the mechanical behaviour of highly corroded chain links, statistics of the observed corrosion rates in these locations and guidelines for examining chain links. Corrosion on the surface of the links was mapped using 3D photogrammetry. The observed long-term corrosion rate is significantly higher than the average corrosion rate of 0.4 mm/year given in API RP-2SK. Analysis of the elementary composition of the rusts indicates that the large pits observed were most likely associated with Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC). The obtained results represent a breakthrough in the field of corrosion of mooring chains deployed in tropical seawater, corroborating the latest models that have been developed taking into account MIC. This work was conducted under the scope of the SCORCH JIP which involves ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, Total, Shell, BHP Billiton, ConocoPhillips, Petrobras, Statoil, BSEE, DNV, ABS, Bureau Veritas, INPEX, SOFEC, InterMoor, KBR, SBM, Franklin Offshore, Vicinay Cadenas, Bridon, Arcelormittal, Arrium and Vryhof Anchors.
2014 Chaves IA, Jeffrey R, Melchers RE, 'The effect of cleaning procedures on corrosion coupon surface topography', Australasian Corrosion Association, Darwin - Australia (2014) [E1]
2014 Melchers RE, Pape TM, Chaves IA, 'The long-term durability of reinforced concrete structures exposed to aggressive marine environments', Proceedings of the First International Conference on Infrastructure Failures and Consequences, Melbourne - Australia (2014) [E1]
2013 Melchers RE, Jeffrey R, 'Atmospheric Corrosion Of Mild Steel Vertical Prisms Of Different Plan Shape', Corrosion and Prevention 2013, Brisbane (2013) [E1]
2013 Jeffrey R, Melchers RE, 'The effect of aluminium allying on the corrosion resistance of cast steel', Corrosion and Prevention 2013 Proceedings, Brisbane (2013) [E1]
2013 Petersen RB, Dafter M, Melchers RE, 'Modelling The Long-Term Corrosion Of Cast Iron Pipes', Corrosion and Prevention 2013 Proceedings, Brisbane (2013) [E1]
2013 Pape TM, Melchers RE, 'A Study Of Reinforced Concrete Piles From The Hornibrook Highway Bridge (1935-2011)', Corrosion and Prevention 2013 Proceedings, Brisbane (2013) [E1]
2013 Melchers RE, Herron C, Emslie R, 'Variability In Long-Term Corrosion Of Cast Iron Bridge Piers', Corrosion and Prevention 2013 Proceedings, Brisbane (2013) [E1]
2013 Chaves IA, Melchers RE, 'Reliability Based Evaluation Of Commonly Applied Corrosion Mitigation Techniques', Corrosion and Prevention 2013 Proceedings, Brisbane (2013) [E1]
2013 Melchers RE, Comanescu I, 'Influence Of MIC On Corrosion Of Oil Field Water Injection Pipelines', Corrosion and Prevention 2013 Proceedings, Brisbane (2013) [E1]
2013 Petersen RB, Dafter M, Melchers RE, 'Long-term corrosion of buried cast iron water mains: field data collection and model calibration', LESAM 2013 Strategic Asset Management of Water and Wastewater Infrastructure, Sydney Australia (2013) [E2]
2013 Chaves IA, Melchers RE, 'Probabilistic pitting corrosion risk assessment of welded offshore steel pipelines', Proceedings of the Twenty-third International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Anchorage, AK (2013) [E1]
2013 Melchers RE, 'Mechanism for Debonding of Internal Pipeline Lining in De-aerated Environments', Proceedings of the 23rd International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference (ISOPE 2013), Volume 4, Anchorage, AL (2013) [E1]
2013 Melchers RE, Herron C, Emslie R, 'Variability in long-term corrosion of cast iron bridge piers', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2013: Corrosion and Prevention 2013 (2013)
Copyright © 2013 by the Australasian Corrosion Association. In 2010 the disused railway bridge at St Lawrence on the Queensland Pacific Ocean coast was demolished after 90 years s... [more]
Copyright © 2013 by the Australasian Corrosion Association. In 2010 the disused railway bridge at St Lawrence on the Queensland Pacific Ocean coast was demolished after 90 years service across the St Lawrence Creek, Queensland, some 6 km inland from the Pacific Ocean and subject large (up to 9 m) seawater tidal movements. Detailed examination of samples about 300×300 mm square and larger cut from several of the bridge piers at various elevations showed corrosion loss varying on average between 2-3 mm for the immersion and tidal exposure zones. This is remarkably little for such aggressive environment and for such long duration of exposure. There was negligible corrosion in the atmospheric zone. The multiple samples allowed statistical analysis of the variability of corrosion losses at different elevations. The statistical results are unique for such long-term exposures and are of major importance for structural reliability analyses of similar old bridges. Also, the corrosion loss results were compared with results reported in the literature for which the longest period of observation is only a few years. Observations show that cast iron is not free from localized corrosion and pitting as sometimes assumed. The corrosion loss results were compared to patterns previously observed for corrosion of steel through the tidal zone. A pattern consistent with so-called accelerated low water corrosion was observed, suggesting that at some period of time in the history of the bridge the tidal seawaters suffered some degree of water pollution.
2013 Comanescu I, Taxén C, Melchers RE, 'Possible influence of microorganisms on the patterns of corrosion seen in water injection pipelines', NACE Corrosion Conference and Expo 2013, Orlando, FL (2013) [E1]
2013 Melchers RE, Comanescu I, 'Influence of MIC on corrosion of oil field water injection pipelines', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2013: Corrosion and Prevention 2013 (2013)
Copyright © 2013 by the Australasian Corrosion Association. Water injection or water flooding is widely used as a secondary recovery method to increase the production of oil usual... [more]
Copyright © 2013 by the Australasian Corrosion Association. Water injection or water flooding is widely used as a secondary recovery method to increase the production of oil usually from mature oil wells. It requires the injection of water into the reservoir, typically using carbon steel pipelines. Their corrosion is a major issue for the oil and gas industry, involving high costs of periodic chemical treatment, including biocides, oxygen scavengers, corrosion and scale inhibitors, and pipeline pigging. There is also the high potential cost of premature failure of the pipelines relative to life-time predictions, and the associated potential for unpredicted costs and major environmental implications should the pipeline fail. The present paper presents a review of a pilot study supported by the oil industry and the European Community that aimed to improve understanding of the corrosion behaviour of these pipelines. It draws on data and observations for the long-term corrosion, water quality, intelligent pigging records and microbiological testing to gain a better understanding why some pipelines suffer mild corrosion yet others, apparently similar, are prone to highly aggressive channelling corrosion. Herein the documented experience of several pipelines is reviewed. Observation data taken into consideration include pigging operation information, composition of corrosion products and their amount, corrosion rates and pipe geometry, identified biological consortia, water chemistry and process parameters. Also, the distribution of corrosion along the pipeline as well as the localization of corrosion attack is noted. Preliminary correlations between and conclusions about observed corrosion, operational conditions and service history are made. A Joint Industry research project currently is being arranged by the offshore oil industry to extend this work.
2013 Jeffrey R, Melchers RE, 'Atmospheric corrosion of mild steel vertical prisms of different plan shape', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2013: Corrosion and Prevention 2013 (2013)
Copyright © 2013 by the Australasian Corrosion Association. Atmospheric corrosion tests of mild steel have employed thin flat steel panels of various sizes, with low edge to main ... [more]
Copyright © 2013 by the Australasian Corrosion Association. Atmospheric corrosion tests of mild steel have employed thin flat steel panels of various sizes, with low edge to main surface ratios. The corrosion loss results relate well to the corrosion of flat steel products and surfaces. The few results reported for circular coupons such as wires showed corrosion losses higher than for flat plates (Jeffrey et al). Herein new observations are reported for the development of rusts, delamination of rusts and of atmospheric corrosion losses for mild steel square, hexagonal and circular prisms exposed in the vertical orientation at Belmont Beach for up to 3 years. The corrosion loss results are compared to previously reported results for flat plate coupons at the same site. In general, smaller samples, including the flat coupons, corroded much more than larger samples. For the smaller prisms rusts delaminated within 12 months or less whereas delamination was not observed for the larger samples. It is proposed that this the result of radial or equivalent cracking permitting higher rates of oxygen diffusion to the corrosion interface.
2013 Petersen RB, Dafter M, Melchers RE, 'Modelling the long-term corrosion of cast iron pipes', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2013: Corrosion and Prevention 2013 (2013)
Copyright © 2013 by the Australasian Corrosion Association. The external corrosion of buried cast iron water mains is a significant problem for the Australian Water Industry. To i... [more]
Copyright © 2013 by the Australasian Corrosion Association. The external corrosion of buried cast iron water mains is a significant problem for the Australian Water Industry. To improve maintenance and replacement strategies for these mains the industry requires a method to estimate their remaining service lives. Predictions of long-term corrosion losses, pit depths and pitting extents are therefore required. A conceptual model for the prediction of long-term corrosion has been developed and the external soil conditions influencing corrosion were identified in a previous study. To calibrate the model, long-term data of corrosion (average loss and maximum penetration) and associated soil parameters for pipes in service is required. Field data has been collected at 18 condition assessment sites and two pipe replacement sites within Hunter Water Corporation's network. This paper presents the field observations and measurements taken from these sites, the model calibration procedure and results of the calibration. The results show that the long-term maximum corrosion penetration increases with increasing soil wetness (measured using degree of saturation) over the observed range of degree of saturation (0.5 to 0.86). The initial model calibration produced model parameters for cast iron pipes buried at standard depths in relatively homogeneous, low-permeability, soils with degrees of saturation equal to 0.57, 0.66, and 0.76.
2013 Pape TM, Melchers RE, 'A study of reinforced concrete piles from the hornibrook highway bridge (1935-2011)', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2013: Corrosion and Prevention 2013 (2013)
Copyright © 2013 by the Australasian Corrosion Association. The Hornibrook Highway Bridge was a 2684m long timber and concrete bridge spanning across Bramble Bay north of Brisbane... [more]
Copyright © 2013 by the Australasian Corrosion Association. The Hornibrook Highway Bridge was a 2684m long timber and concrete bridge spanning across Bramble Bay north of Brisbane, Queensland. Completed in 1935, it was the longest road viaduct across water in Australia at the time. It was demolished in 2011 after 76 years of service due to substantial timber degradation and the deterioration of the concrete due to corrosion. A number of piles were salvaged from demolition and studied by the University of Newcastle. This paper outlines some of the findings from this investigation. The piles and reinforcing bars were in relatively good condition with minimal cross-sectional area losses despite the age of the bridge and exposure to an aggressive marine environment. An exception was the severe corrosion of a bar in one pile with no obvious external visual evidence. A summary of petrographic and XRD analyses, and carbonation profiles are also presented and discussed.
2013 Jeffrey R, Melchers RE, 'The effect of aluminium alloying on the corrosion resistance of cast steel', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2013: Corrosion and Prevention 2013 (2013)
Copyright © 2013 by the Australasian Corrosion Association. There is some evidence that the addition of small amount of aluminium can reduce the atmospheric corrosion of steel. Ho... [more]
Copyright © 2013 by the Australasian Corrosion Association. There is some evidence that the addition of small amount of aluminium can reduce the atmospheric corrosion of steel. However, systematic long-term investigations are lacking. There also appears to be no information about resistance of such alloys to marine immersion conditions. This paper reports on the marine environment corrosion performance of steel alloyed with aluminium additions of 0% (control), 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%. The cast steel was forged into billets and machined into coupons. Sets of coupons were exposed to three exposure conditions: (a) in temperate seawater for 1, 2 and 3 years, (b) submerged below the mud-line for 1, 2 and 3 years and (c) exposed at two extremely severe atmospheric marine locations for 12 months. The results show that the increase in Al content reduced corrosion loss in submerged conditions from 10.5% after one year to 2.8% after 3 years. In the coastal atmosphere, corrosion loss dropped from 5.5% after one year with no Al addition to 1.2% with 8% Al alloying. The corrosion resistance in marine mud buried conditions was less favourable. Corrosion loss reduced from 4.4% after one year to 2.9% after 2 years but in some instance the addition of Al had minimal or no effect on corrosion resistance. These observations add to the body of knowledge regarding the effect of aluminium on long-term corrosion loss.
2013 Chaves IA, Melchers RE, 'Reliability analysis of steel pipeline welds subjected to long-term seawater exposure', From Materials to Structures: Advancement through Innovation, Sydney, NSW (2013) [E1]
2013 Pape TM, Melchers RE, 'Structural performance of 45 year old corroded prestressed concrete beams', From Materials to Structures: Advances through Innovation. Proceedings of the 22nd Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, ACMSM 22, Sydney, Australia (2013) [E1]
2012 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'The effect of microbiological involvement on the topography of corroding mild steel in coastal seawater', Book of Abstracts. Eurocorr 2012, Istanbul, Turkey (2012) [E2]
2012 Chaves IA, Melchers RE, 'Reliability analysis of long term pitting corrosion of welded marine steel pipelines', Corrosion Management for a Sustainable World: Transport, Energy, Mining, Life Extension and Modelling, Melbourne, Australia (2012) [E1]
2012 Melchers RE, 'The relative influence of microbiological and abiotic processes in modelling longer-term marine corrosion of steel', Eurocorr 2012. The European Corrosion Congress, Istanbul, Turkey (2012) [E2]
2012 Comanescu I, Melchers RE, 'Correlation between MIC and water quality, pigging frequency and biocide dosing in oil field water injection pipelines', Eurocorr 2012. The European Corrosion Congress, Istanbul, Turkey (2012) [E2]
2012 Taxen C, Comanescu I, Melchers RE, 'Framework model for under deposit corrosion in water injection pipelines', Eurocorr 2012. The European Corrosion Congress, Istanbul, Turkey (2012) [E2]
2012 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, Fontaine E, 'Corrosion and the structural safety of FPSO mooring systems in Tropical waters', Proceedings of the Australasian Structural Engineering Conference 2012, Perth, WA (2012) [E1]
2012 Melchers RE, Pape TM, 'The durability of reinforced concrete structures in marine environments', Proceedings Australasian Structural Engineering Conference 2012, Perth, WA (2012)
2012 Comanescu I, Taxen C, Melchers RE, 'Assessment of MIC in carbon steel water injection pipelines', SPE International Conference and Exhibition on Oilfield Corrosion 2012, Aberdeen, UK (2012) [E2]
2012 Fontaine E, Potts A, Consulting A, Ma K-T, Company CT, Arredondo A, et al., 'SCORCH JIP: Examination and testing of severely-corroded mooring chains from West Africa', Proceedings of the Annual Offshore Technology Conference 2012, Houston, Texas (2012) [E2]
2012 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'The changing composition of the corrosion products of mild steel in severe marine atmospheres', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2012, melbourne, australia (2012) [E1]
2012 Melchers RE, 'Long-term corrosion of grey cast iron in marine environments', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2012, melbourne, australia (2012)
2012 Chaves IA, Melchers RE, 'External corrosion of carbon steel pipeline weld zones', Proceedings of the 22nd International Ocean and Polar Engineering Conference, Rhodes, Greece (2012) [E1]
2012 Fontaine E, Potts AE, Arredondo A, Melchers RE, Ma K-T, 'Investigation of severe corrosion of mooring chain in West Africa Waters', Proceedings of the Twenty-second (2012) International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Rhodes, Greece (2012) [E1]
2012 Comanescu I, Melchers RE, Taxen C, 'Life time assessment of offshore water injection pipelines as a function of microbiologically influenced corrosion', Proceedings of the Twenty-second (2012) International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Rhodes, Greece (2012) [E1]
2012 Wells PA, Melchers RE, Joseph A, Bond P, Vitanage D, Bustamante H, et al., 'A collaborative investigation of microbial corrosion of concrete sewer pipe in Australia', Conference Proceedings. Oz Water '12. Australia's National Water Conference and Exhibition, Sydney, NSW (2012) [E1]
2012 Melchers RE, 'Structural reliability estimation for steel structures affected by pitting corrosion', ISRERM2012: Reliability Engineering and Risk Management ISRERM2012, Yokohama, Japan (2012) [E1]
2012 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'The effect of increasing amounts of nutrient on the corrosion rate of mild steel', Corrosion & Prevention 2012, Melbourne, Australia (2012) [E1]
2012 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'The effect coupon size for the determination of atmospheric corrosivity', Corrosion & Prevention 2012, Melbourne, Australia (2012) [E1]
2012 Stockert L, Haas M, Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Electrochemical measurements and short-term-in-situ exposure testing', Corrosion & Prevention 2012, Melbourne, Australia (2012) [E1]
2012 Dafter MR, Melchers RE, Nicholas DM, 'Prediction of long term corrosion in soils using electrochemical tests', Corrosion & Prevention 2012, Melbourne, Australia (2012) [E1]
2012 Melchers RE, 'Long term corrosion of grey cast iron in marine environments', Corrosion Management for a Sustainable World: Transport, Energy, Mining, Life Extension and Modelling, Melbourne, Vic (2012) [E1]
2012 Petersen RB, Melchers RE, 'Long-term corrosion of cast iron cement lined pipes', Corrosion Management for a Sustainable World: Transport, Energy, Mining, Life Extension and Modelling, Melbourne, Australia (2012) [E1]
2012 Potts AE, Fontaine E, Melchers R, 'Investigation of severe corrosion of mooring chain in west African waters', Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2012 (2012)
Recent detailed observations of the performance of mooring chains for a floating production unit in tropical West African waters have shown severe localized corrosion (pitting) of... [more]
Recent detailed observations of the performance of mooring chains for a floating production unit in tropical West African waters have shown severe localized corrosion (pitting) of the steel chain after only seven years of use. This paper describes the investigation of this phenomenon as part of the Joint Industry Paper (JIP) research program SCORCH (Seawater Corrosion of Rope and Chain) funded by the major oil companies, most Classification Societies and various offshore operators and manufacturers. It is shown that there is a high likelihood that the chain has been subjected to microbiology influenced corrosion (MIC) as a result of the elevated levels of water pollution in the operational area. However, despite the large localized loss of steel in corrosion pots, the breaking load shows only a relatively small reduction compared to the Minimum Breaking Load specified in design guidelines. Copyright © (2012) by the Australasian Corrosion Association.
2012 Melchers RE, 'Safety and reliability of FPSO mooring systems', 6th International ASRANet Conference for Integrating Structural Analysis, Risk and Reliability, London, UK (2012) [E2]
2011 Melchers RE, 'Modelling long-term corrosion of mild steel in unpolluted fresh and sterile seawaters', 18th International Corrosion Congress 2011, Perth (2011) [E1]
2011 Chaves IA, Melchers RE, 'Long-term marine corrosion of welds on steel piling', 18th International Corrosion Congress 2011, Perth, WA (2011) [E1]
2011 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'The effect of airborne nutrients on atmospheric corrosion', 18th International Corrosion Congress 2011, Perth, WA (2011) [E1]
2011 Pape TM, Melchers RE, 'A detailed case study of carbonation profiles in prestressed concrete beams from an aggressive marine environment', 18th International Corrosion Congress 2011, Perth, WA (2011) [E1]
2011 Wells PA, Melchers RE, 'Microbial corrosion of sewer pipe in Australia - Initial field results', 18th International Corrosion Congress 2011, Perth, WA (2011) [E1]
2011 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'Deterioration mechanics - The competition between abiotic and biotic processes', Incorporating Sustainable Practice in Mechanics of Structures and Materials: Proceedings of the 21st Australian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, Melbourne, VIC (2011) [E1]
2011 Melchers RE, 'Application of extreme value theory to discriminate between failure modes', Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Applications of Statistics and Probability in Civil Engineering, Zurich, CH (2011) [E1]
2011 Melchers RE, Ahammed M, Jeffrey RJ, Simundic G, 'Statistical analysis of the surfaces of corroded mild steel plates', Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Applications of Statistics and Probability in Civil Engineering, Zurich, CH (2011) [E1]
Robert Jeffrey, Goran Simundic, Mukshed Ahammed
2011 Melchers RE, 'Prediction of long-term corrosion for infrastructure applications', European Corrosion Congress 2011, Stockholm, Sweden (2011) [E2]
2011 Melchers RE, 'The role of nutrients and water pollution in the bacterial corrosion of structural steels', Symposium on Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion Papers, Melbourne, Vic (2011) [E1]
2011 Melchers RE, 'Observations about the corrosion of reinforcement in marine environments', XII DBMC: International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components, Porto, Portugal (2011) [E1]
2010 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'Experimental investigation of accelerated low water corrosion of steel piling in habours', Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on the Structures Degradation in Coastal Zones, La Rochelle, France (2010) [E1]
2010 Melchers RE, Pape TM, 'Aspects of long-term durability of reinforced concrete structures in marine environments', Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on the Structures Degradation in Coastal Zones, La Rochelle, France (2010) [E1]
10.3166/EJECE.15.969-980
2010 Melchers RE, 'The time to commencement of reinforcement corrosion in marine environments', Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Concrete Under Severe Conditions, Yucatan, Mexico (2010) [E1]
2010 Melchers RE, Chernov BB, 'High temperature hard freshwater corrosion loss of mild steel', TEAM 2010 Vladivostok: The 24th Asian-Pacific Technical Exchange and Advisory Meeting on Marine Structures: Program and Proceedings, Vladivostok, Russia (2010) [E1]
2010 Melchers RE, Li CQ, 'Predicting the life of reinforced concrete structures in severe marine environments', BRIDGE MAINTENANCE, SAFETY, MANAGEMENT AND LIFE-CYCLE OPTIMIZATION, Lehigh Univ, Adv Technol Large Struct Syst (ATLSS) Engn Res Ctr, Philadelphia, PA (2010) [E2]
2010 Melchers RE, 'Experiments, science and probability theory in building new models for long-term pitting corrosion in marine environments', Safety, Reliability and Risk of Structures, Infrastructures and Engineering Systems: Proceedings of the Tenth International Conference on Structural Safety and Reliability (ICOSSAR2009), Osaka, Japan (2010) [E1]
2010 Melchers RE, 'Structural reliability theory in the wider safety context', Safety, Reliability and Risk of Structures, Infrastructures and Engineering Systems: Proceedings of the Tenth International Conference on Structural Safety and Reliability (ICOSSAR2009), Osaka, Japan (2010) [E1]
2010 Schoefs F, Boero J, Capra B, Melchers RE, 'Statistical analysis of corrosion process along French coasts', Safety, Reliability and Risk of Structures, Infrastructures and Engineering Systems: Proceedings of the Tenth International Conference on Structural Safety and Reliability (ICOSSAR2009), Osaka, Japan (2010) [E1]
2010 Melchers RE, Li CQ, 'Predicting the life of reinforced concrete structures in severe marine environments', Bridge Maintenance, Safety, Management and Life-Cycle Optimization - Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management, Philadelphia, United States (2010) [E1]
2010 Melchers RE, 'Observations about the performance of reinforcement in marine environments', CECAR 5. ASEC 2010. 5th Civil Engineering Conference in the Asian Region and Australasian Structural Engineering Conference 2010, Sydney, NSW (2010) [E1]
2010 Melchers RE, Wells PA, 'Modelling the long term corrosion of reinforced concrete sewers', Leading-Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Treatment Technologies, Phoenix, AZ (2010) [E1]
2010 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Variability of corrosion of mild steel coupons in tidal, splash and atmospheric marine environments', Corrosion and Prevention 2010: Always Protecting, Always Learning, Adelaide, SA (2010) [E1]
2010 Chaves IA, Melchers RE, Fontaine E, 'A field investigation of pitting corrosion of welded pipeline steels', Proceedings of the ACA Conference: Corrosion and Prevention 2010, Adelaide, SA (2010) [E1]
2010 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, Simundic G, 'Representativeness of small coupons for corrosion of large plates', Proceedings of the ACA Conference: Corrosion and Prevention 2010, Adelaide, SA (2010) [E1]
Goran Simundic, Robert Jeffrey
2010 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'On predicting long-term corrosion behaviour from short-term tests', Proceedings of the ACA Conference: Corrosion and Prevention 2010, Adelaide, SA (2010) [E1]
2010 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'The effect of microbiological involvement on the topography of corroding mild steel in coastal seawater', NACE Corrosion Conference & Expo 2010, San Antonio, TX (2010) [E1]
2010 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'Corrosion of vertical steel strips exposed in the marine tidal zone and implications for ALWC', NACE Corrosion Conference & Expo 2010, San Antonio, TX (2010) [E1]
2009 Melchers RE, 'Failure mechanism of the Newcastle Workers Club', AEES 2009 Program, Newcastle, NSW (2009) [E3]
2009 Melchers RE, 'Ensuring validity and quality of deterioration models for structural reliability assessment', ICCES'09 Conference Program & Souvenir, Phuket, Thailand (2009) [E3]
2009 Melchers RE, 'Reliability theory and estimating the likely safety of constructed facilities', Futures in Mechanics of Structures and Materials: Proceedings of the 20th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, Toowoomba, QLD (2009) [E1]
2009 Fontaine E, Armstrong R, Potts A, Melchers RE, Chaplin CR, Francois M, 'Semi-empirical modeling for seawater corrosion of wire rope', Proceedings of the Nineteenth (2009) International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference (ISOPE), Osaka, Japan (2009) [E1]
2009 Papè T, Melchers R, 'Comparisons between two corrosion assessment methods and the corrosion of steel in prestressed concrete', 49th Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2009: Corrosion and Prevention 2009, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia (2009) [E1]
2009 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Corrosion of isolated and electrically-connected steel coupons in temperate coastal seawater', Corrosion & Prevention 2009: The Management of Infrastructure Deterioration: Conference Proceedings, Coffs Harbour, NSW (2009) [E1]
2009 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'The effect of seawater sterilisation on the corrosion of mild steel', Corrosion & Prevention 2009: The Management of Infrastructure Deterioration: Conference Proceedings, Coffs Harbour, NSW (2009) [E1]
2009 Melchers RE, 'Experiments, science and intuition in the development of models for the corrosion of steel infrastructure', Corrosion & Prevention 2009: The Management of Infrastructure Deterioration: Conference Proceedings, Coffs Harbour, NSW (2009) [E1]
2009 Melchers RE, Li CQ, 'Time to initiation of reinforcement corrosion in marine environments: A review of older concrete structures', Corrosion & Prevention 2009: The Management of Infrastructure Deterioration: Conference Proceedings, Coffs Harbour, NSW (2009) [E1]
2009 Pape TM, Melchers RE, 'Comparisons between two corrosion assessment methods and the corrosion of steel in prestressed concrete', Corrosion & Prevention 2009: The Management of Infrastructure Deterioration: Conference Proceedings, Coffs Harbour, NSW (2009)
2009 Wells PA, Melchers RE, Bond P, 'Factors involved in the long term corrosion of concrete sewers', Corrosion & Prevention 2009: The Management of Infrastructure Deterioration: Conference Proceedings, Coffs Harbour, NSW (2009) [E1]
2008 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'Evidence for microbiological influenced longer-term corrosion in tidal and coastal atmospheric corrosion of steel elements', Corrosion & Prevention 2008: The Impact of Corrosion on our Lives: Conference Proceedings, Wellington, NZ (2008) [E1]
2008 Melchers RE, Li CQ, 'Long-term observations of reinforcement corrosion for concrete elements exposed to the North Sea', Corrosion & Prevention 2008: The Impact of Corrosion on our Lives: Conference Proceedings, Wellington, NZ (2008) [E1]
2008 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Corrosion profiles of mild steel in varying tidal seawaters', Corrosion & Prevention 2008: The Impact of Corrosion on our Lives: Conference Proceedings, Wellington, NZ (2008) [E1]
2008 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Three year observations of corrosion losses for steels at a severe marine atmospheric site', Corrosion & Prevention 2008: The Impact of Corrosion on our Lives: Conference Proceedings, Wellington, NZ (2008) [E1]
2008 Melchers RE, 'Long-term corrosion of steels exposed to marine environments', MEDACHS 08: Construction Heritage in Coastal and Marine Environments: Damage, Diagnostic, Maintenance and Rehabilitation, Lisbon, Portugal (2008) [E1]
Web of Science - 10
2008 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'Early test results and interpretations for corrosion of vertical steel strips exposed in the marine tidal zone', The 14th International Congress on Marine Corrosion and Fouling: Abstracts, Kobe, Japan (2008) [E3]
2008 Melchers RE, 'The critical role of marine bacterial processes in the development of models for pitting corrosion of structural steels', Life-Cycle Civil Engineering, Lake Como, Italy (2008) [E1]
2008 Pape TM, Melchers RE, 'Investigating the effects of corrosion on 45-year-old prestressed concrete bridge beams', Life-Cycle Civil Engineering, Lake Como, Italy (2008) [E1]
2008 Jeffrey R, Melchers R, 'Three year observations of corrosion losses for steels at a severe marine atmospheric site', 48th Annual Conference of the Australasian Corrosion Association 2008: Corrosion and Prevention 2008 (2008)
A large scale atmospheric corrosion trial extending over five years is currently being conducted at Belmont Beach near Newcastle, Australia. The intent is to obtain information ab... [more]
A large scale atmospheric corrosion trial extending over five years is currently being conducted at Belmont Beach near Newcastle, Australia. The intent is to obtain information about the effects of orientation, height and bold exposure versus shielding effects as well as detailed chronological observations and variability data for nominally identical exposures. Such comprehensive data has not previously been obtained for the one site and under the one local climatic regime for all coupons. This provides a much better and more controlled environment in which to compare the various effects. Failure to achieve this in previous studies renders the study of such influences problematic. Also, variability of nominally identically exposed coupons has not previously been given attention. The paper deals with the three-year results and compares these with information available in the literature. After three years most of the boldly exposed coupons have completely corroded but most of the single sided coupons remain in varying degrees. A comparison is given between individual coupons exposed at different heights and single strips of steel exposed over the same vertical distance.
2008 Melchers RE, 'New research findings for the atmospheric corrosion of steel structures and the development of predictive models for corrosion loss and pitting', Australasian Structural Engineering Conference 2008: Conference Proceedings, Melbourne, VIC (2008) [E1]
2007 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Correlation between water temperature and corrosion of mild steel in different waters', Corrosion Control 007. Conference Proceedings, Sydney (2007) [E1]
2007 Gudze MT, Melchers RE, 'Prediction of corrosion in ballast tanks of naval ships using operational characteristics', Corrosion Control 007. Conference Proceedings, Sydney (2007) [E1]
2007 Melchers RE, 'Modelling the corrosion losses for mild steel exposed to natural fresh, brackish and seawaters', Corrosion Control 007. Conference Proceedings, Sydney (2007) [E1]
2007 Pape TM, Melchers RE, 'The effect of corrosion on 45 year-old prestressed concrete bridge beams', Corrosion Control 007. Conference Proceedings, Sydney (2007) [E1]
2007 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'New data for verification of a phenomenological model for corrosion of steels in seawater', 1st Corrosion and Material Protection Conference 2007. Proceedings, Prague, Czech Republic (2007) [E2]
2007 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'The critical involvement of anaerobic bacterial activity in modelling the corrosion behaviours of mild steel in marine environments', BIOCORYS 2007, Paris (2007) [E2]
2007 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'The involvement of anaerobic bacteria in the corrosion of mild steel in water', MIC Symposium: An International Perspective. Proceedings, Perth (2007) [E2]
2007 Melchers RE, 'Development of high-quality engineering models for marine coastal zone corrosion of structural steels', SCAMI-2. 2nd International Conference on Structural Condition Assessment Monitoring and Improvement. Conference Proceedings, Changsha, China (2007) [E1]
2007 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Corrosion profiles of mild steel in varying tidal seawaters', Second World Congress on Corrosion in the Military. Proceedings, Naples, Italy (2007) [E2]
2007 Melchers RE, 'Development of new applied models for steel corrosion in marine applications including shipping', 2007 PRADES. 10th International Symposium on Practical Design of Ships and Other Floating Structures, Houston, Texas (2007) [E1]
2007 Melchers RE, 'Recent progress in the development of mathematical-probabilistic corrosion models for long-term life assessment of steel infrastructure', Applications of Statistics and Probability in Civil Engineering, Tokyo (2007) [E1]
2007 Melchers RE, 'Modelling the corrosion of steel infrastructure in marine environments for long-term reliability assessment', Lifetime-Oriented Design Concepts, 2007. Proceedings of the Third International Conference Lifetime-Oriented Design Concepts, Bochum, Germany (2007) [E2]
2006 Melchers RE, 'The probabilistic prediction of short- and long-term maximum pit depth for steels immersed in seawater', Corrosion Modeling For Life Prediction 2006, Cernobbio, Lake Como, Italy (2006) [E2]
2006 Melchers RE, 'Probabilistic modelling of long-term pitting corrosion of structural steel under marine immersion conditions', Corrosion and Prevention 2006, Hobart, Tasmania (2006) [E1]
2006 Melchers RE, 'From marine immersion to coastal atmospheric corrosion of mild steel: implications arising from long-term observations', Corrosion and Prevention 2006, Hobart, Tasmania (2006) [E1]
2006 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Early observations of corrosion losses for steels at a severe marine atmospheric site', Corrosion and Prevention 2006, Hobart, Tasmania (2006) [E1]
2006 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Observations of corrosion losses for steels exposed in tidal seawaters', Corrosion and Prevention 2006, Hobart, Tasmania (2006) [E1]
2006 Melchers RE, 'Aspects of probabilistic risk assessment and remaining life prediction for pipelines under long-term pitting corrosion', International Conference and Exhibition on Pressure Vessels and Piping (OPE 2006), Chennai, India (2006) [E1]
2006 Paik JK, Thayamballi AK, Melchers RE, 'Recent advances in corrosion assessment and management for ships and offshore structures', 5th International Conference on High Performance Marine Vehicles, Tasmania, Australia (2006) [E1]
2006 Melchers RE, 'Advances in mathematical-probabilistic modelling of the atmospheric corrosion of structural steels in ocean environments', 3rd International ASRANet Colloquium, Glasgow, United Kingdom (2006) [E1]
2006 Melchers RE, 'Assessment and prediction of remaining safe and serviceable life for corroding infrastructure', 19th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, Christchurch, New Zealand (2006) [E1]
2006 Pape TM, Melchers RE, 'The effect of corrosion on the capacity and behaviour of a 45 year-old post-tensioned concrete bridge beams', 19th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, Christchurch, New Zealand (2006) [E1]
2005 Melchers RE, 'Observations About The Probabilistic Representation Of Uncertainty For Maximum Corrosion Pit Depths', Advances In Reliability And Optimization Of Structural Systems, Aalborg, Denmark (2005) [E2]
2005 Melchers RE, 'The Corrosion Of Structural Steel In Seawater', Australian Structural Engineering Conference 2005, Newcastle, Australia (2005) [E1]
2005 Wells PA, Melchers RE, 'Predictive Methods For Estimating The Durability Of Simple Composite Materials', Australian Stuctural Engineering Conference : ASEC 2005 : 11-14 September 2005, Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Program & abstract book, Newcastle, Australia (2005) [E1]
2005 Li CQ, Lawanwisut W, Melchers RE, 'Reliability Analysis Of Corrosion Induced Concrete Cracking', 9th International Conference On Structural Safety And Reliability (ICOSSAR 2005), Rome, Italy (2005) [E1]
2005 Melchers RE, 'Representation Of Uncertainty For Maximum Corrosion Pit Depth', 9th International Conference On Structural Safety And Reliability (ICOSSAR 2005), Rome, Italy (2005) [E1]
2005 Melchers RE, 'Degradation Of The Reliability Of Steel Structures Due To Marine Immersion Corrosion', 9th International Conference On Structural Safety And Reliability (ICOSSAR 2005), Rome, Italy (2005) [E1]
2005 Li CQ, Aguiar S, Melchers RE, 'Maintenance Strategy For Coastal Concrete Structures', 9th International Conference On Structural Safety And Reliability (ICOSSAR 2005), Rome, Italy (2005) [E1]
2005 Ahammed M, Melchers RE, 'New Bounds For Highly Correlated Structural Series System', 9th International Conference On Structural Safety And Reliability (ICOSSAR 2005), Rome, Italy (2005) [E1]
2005 Melchers RE, 'Mathematical And Probabilistic Modelling Of Material Deterioriation With Application To Pitting Corrosion In Structural Steel Applications', Proceedings of the 4th International Workshop On Life-Cycle Cost Analysis and Design of Civil Infrastructure Systems, Cocoa Beach, USA (2005) [E1]
2005 Melchers RE, 'Mathematical And Probabilistic Modelling For Seawater Corrosion Of Steels In Structural Applications', Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Structural Condition Assessment, Monitoring and Improvement, Perth, Australia (2005) [E1]
2005 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Corrosion Field Trials - Case Studies On Unsuccessful Atmospheric And Marine Immersion Studies', Corrosion and Prevention 2005, Gold Coast, QLD (2005) [E1]
2005 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'The Changing Surface Topography Of Corroding Mild Steel In Sub-Tropical Coastal Waters', 16th International Corrosion Congress, Beijing, China (2005) [E2]
2005 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Morphology Of The Corrosion Products Of Mild Steel Immersed In Temperate Seawaters', 16th International Corrosion Congress, Beijing, China (2005) [E2]
2005 Melchers RE, Jiang XL, Lu KJ, 'Coating Life Prediction For Water Ballast Tank', 24th International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering (OMAE 2005), Halkidiki, Greece (2005) [E2]
2005 Melchers RE, 'The Probability Of Occurrence For Pits Of Maximum Depth - Upsetting 50 Years Of Convention', Corrosion and Prevention 2005, Gold Coast, Australia (2005) [E1]
2004 Gudze M, Cannon S, Melchers RE, 'Ballast Tank Corrosion Using Naval Ship Operational Profiles', Proceedings of the Pacific 2004 International Maritime Conference, Sydney, Australia (2004) [E1]
2004 Wells PA, Melchers RE, 'Determining Hydrolysis Behavior And Durability From Short Term Water Absorption Data', Proceedings of the Second International Conference on FRP Composites In Civil Engineering, Adelaide, Australia (2004) [E1]
2004 Melchers RE, Ahammed M, 'Characterization Of Corroded Steel Plate Surfaces', Proceedings of the 18th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, Perth, Australia (2004) [E1]
2004 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Migration Of Iron Particles, Ions and Compounds During Long-Term Marine Immersion Corrosion', Corrosion and Prevention 2004, Perth, Australia (2004) [E1]
2004 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Influence Of Tidal Movement On Marine Immersion Corrosion Of Mild Steel - Preliminary Results', Corrosion and Prevention 2004, Perth, Australia (2004) [E1]
2004 Melchers RE, 'Variability Of Maximum Pit Depth For Mild Steel In Seawater', Corrosion and Prevention 2004, Perth, Australia (2004) [E1]
2004 Melchers RE, 'The Effect Of Corrosion On The Structural Reliability Of Steel Offshore Structures', International Symposium on Corrosion and Protection of Marine Structures, Muroran Institute of Technology, Japan (2004) [E2]
2004 Melchers RE, 'Mathematical Modelling Of Marine Immersion Corrosion For Structural Reliability Assessment', Proceedings of the Third Asian Pacific Symposium on Structural Reliability and its Applications, Seoul, Korea (2004) [E1]
2003 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'An XRD Study Of The Products Of Corrosion Of Mild Steel Immersed In Coastal Conditions', Corrosion Control And NDT, Melbourne, Australia (2003) [E1]
2003 Melchers RE, 'Pitting Corrosion Of Mild Steel In Marine Immersion Environments', Corrosion Control And NDT, Melbourne, Australia (2003) [E1]
2003 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'Observations On The Effect Of Surface 'Roughness' In The Marine Immersion Corrosion Of Mild Steel Coupons', Corrosion Control And NDT, Melbourne, Australia (2003) [E1]
2003 Melchers RE, 'Modelling Of Long-Term Performance Of Structural Steel Under Marine Corrosion Conditions', Proceedings Of The International Conference On Performance Of Construction Materials In The New Millenium (ICPCM), Cairo, Egypt (2003) [E1]
2003 Beck AT, Melchers RE, 'Fatigue And Fracture Reliability Analysis Under Random Loading', Proceedings Of The Second MIT Conference On Computational Fluid And Solid Mechanics, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States (2003) [E2]
2003 Moarefzadeh MR, Melchers RE, 'Nonlinear Wave Effect In Reliability Analysis Of Offshore Structures', Extreme Loading Conference: Response Of Structures To Extreme Loading, Toronto, Canada (2003) [E2]
2003 Melchers RE, Ahammed M, 'Numerical Estimation Of Sensitivities For Complex Probabilistically-Described Systems', Proceedings Of The Ninth International Conference On Civil And Structural Engineering Computing, Egmond-aan-Zee, The Netherlands (2003) [E2]
2003 Gray WA, Melchers RE, 'A Comparison Of Some Numerical Methods Available For The Estimation Of Time-Invariant Reliability', Proceedings Of The Sixth Engineering Mathematics And Applications Conference, Sydney, Australia (2003) [E1]
2003 Gray WA, Melchers RE, 'A Comparison Of Some Numerical Methods For Estimating Time-Invariant Reliability', Proceedings Of The 9th International Conference On Applications Of Statistics And Probability In Civil Engineering, San Francisco, California, United States (2003) [E1]
2003 Melchers RE, 'A New Model For Marine Immersion Corrosion In Structural Reliability Assessment', Proceedings Of The 9th International Conference On Applications Of Statistics And Probability In Civil Engineering, San Francisco, California, United States (2003) [E1]
2003 Beck AT, Melchers RE, 'On The Ensemble Up-Crossing Rate Approach To Time Variant Reliability Analysis Of Uncertain Structures', Proceedings Of The Fourth International Conference On Computation Stochastic Mechanics, Corfu, Greece (2003) [E2]
2002 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Effect Of Seawater Velocity On Immersion Corrosion Of Mild Steel', Corrosion And Prevention - 02, Adelaide, South Australia (2002) [E1]
2002 Melchers RE, Jeffrey RJ, 'Variability In Corrosion Of Mild Steel Coupons In Seawater', Corrosion And Prevention 02, Adelaide, South Australia (2002) [E1]
2002 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Influence Of Edge Effect On Marine Immersion Corrosion Measurement For Mild Steel Coupons', 15th International Corrosion Congress, Granada, Spain (2002) [E2]
2002 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Images Of Bacteriological Influence In The Development Of Iron Sulphide In Marine Immersion Environments', 15th International Corrosion Congress, Granada, Spain (2002) [E2]
2002 Melchers RE, 'Stochastic Computational Mechanics - With Emphasis On Mechanics Modelling', ASRANet, Glasgow, Scotland (2002) [E1]
2002 Melchers RE, Stewart MG, 'Risk-Based Predictions Of Service Life Performance', IABSE Symposium, Melbourne, Australia (2002) [E1]
2002 Beck AT, Melchers RE, 'A Comparison Of Some Methods For Fatigue And Fracture Reliability Estimation Under Random Loading', Proceedings Of The 17th Australasian Conference On The Mechanics Of Structures And Materials, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (2002) [E1]
2002 Khennane A, Melchers RE, 'A Finite Element Approach For Modeling The Statistical Strength Of A Unidirectional Composite', Proceedings Of The 17th Australasian Conference On The Mechanics Of Structures And Materials, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (2002) [E1]
2002 Masia MJ, Kleeman PW, Melchers RE, 'Soil/Structure Interation Modelling Of Masonry For Reliability Studies', Proceedings of the 17th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (2002) [E1]
2001 Melchers RE, 'Probabilistic models of corrosion for reliability assessment and maintenance planning - CD-ROM', Proceedings of OMAE'01 20th International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, Brazil (2001) [E1]
2001 Gardiner CP, Melchers RE, 'Bulk Carrier Corrosion Modelling', Proceedings of the Eleventh (2001) International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference, Norway (2001) [E1]
2001 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Bacteriological influence in the development of iron sulphide species in marine immersion environments', Proceedings of Corrosion and Prevention - 2001, Newcastle (2001) [E1]
2001 Khennane A, Melchers RE, 'Stress corrosion of glass fibre reinforced polymers for infrastructure applications', Proceedings of Corrosion and Prevention - 2001, Newcastle (2001) [E1]
2001 Melchers RE, 'A phenomenological model for 'at-sea' marine immersion corrosion of mild steel', Proceedings of Corrosion and Prrevention - 2001, Newcastle (2001) [E1]
2001 Faber MH, Melchers RE, 'Aspects of safety in design and assessment of deteriorating structures', Conference Report on Safety, Risk and Relaibility - Trends in Engineering, Malta (2001) [E2]
2001 Masia MJ, Melchers RE, 'Serviceability and Reliability of Structures Subject to Ground Movement', Proceedings of the 4th Triennial Conference on Coal Mine Subsidence 2001, Maitland (2001) [E2]
2001 Khennane A, Melchers RE, 'A micromechanics model for environmental stress corrosion in GFRP', Proceedings of the International Conference on FRP Composites in Civil Engineering, Hong Kong, China (2001) [E1]
2000 Melchers RE, 'Influence of Temperature on Marine Corrosion of 90:10 Copper-Nickel Alloy', Corrosion & Prevention - 2000, Auckland, New Zealanad (2000) [E1]
2000 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Boundary Conditions of Marine Immersion Coupons', Corrosion & Prevention - 2000, Auckland, New Zealand (2000) [E1]
2000 Kordzakhia N, Melchers RE, Novikov A, 'First Passage of Filtered Poisson Processes with Exponential', PMC2000 Proceedings of the 8th ASCE Joint Specialty Conference, University of Notre Dame, USA (2000) [E2]
2000 Guan X-L, Melchers RE, 'A parametric Study on the Response Surface Method', PMC2000 Proceedings of the 8th ASCE Joint Specialty Conference, University of Notre Dame, USA (2000) [E2]
2000 Masia MJ, Melchers RE, Kleeman PW, 'A probabilistic model for the prediction of cracking in masonry structures', Proceedings of the 12th International Brick/Block Masonry Conference, Madrid, Spain (2000) [E2]
2000 Melchers RE, Stewart MG, 'Proceedings of the ICASP8 Conference, Applications of Statistics and Probability', Proceedings of the ICASP8 Conference, Applicatiosn of Statistics and Probability, Sydney (2000) [E4]
2000 Guan X-L, Melchers RE, 'A Comparison of some FOSM and Monte Carlo results', Proceedings of the ICASP8 Conference: Applications of Statistics and Probability, Sydney, Australia (2000) [E1]
2000 Kordzakhia N, Melchers RE, 'First passage analysis of a 'square wave' filtered Poisson process', Proceedings of the ICASP8 Conference: Applications of Statistics and Probability, Sydney, Australia (2000) [E1]
2000 Melchers RE, 'Optimization of Structural Reliability and Structural Safety', Proceedings of the Ninths IFIP WG 7.5 Working Conference on Reliability and optimization of structural system, 2000, The University of Michigan, USA (2000) [E1]
1999 Melchers RE, 'Early and longer term prediction of immersion corrosion of steel in marine waters', Proceedings Corrosion & Prevention-99, Sydney, Australia (1999) [E1]
1999 Jeffrey RJ, Melchers RE, 'Influence of environmental factors on the early corrosion of steel in coastal seawater', Proceedings Corrosion & Prevention-99, Sydney, Australia (1999) [E1]
1999 Gardiner CP, Melchers RE, 'Enclosed atmospheric corrosion in an unloaded bulk carrier cargo hold', Proceedings Corrosion & Prevention-99, Sydney, Australia (1999) [E1]
1999 Melchers RE, Guan X-L, 'Finite element analysis in structural reliability', Proceedings of the 16th Australasian conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, Sydney, Australia (1999) [E1]
1999 Melchers RE, 'Developments in directional stimulation for structural reliability estimation', Proceedings of the Asian-Pacific Symposium on Structural Reliability and its Applications, Taipei, Taiwan (1999) [E2]
1999 Melchers RE, 'Factors influencing the immersion corrosion of steels in marine waters', Proceedings on 14th International Corrosion Congress, Cape Town, South Africa (1999) [E1]
1998 Ellingwood B, Nowak A, Melchers RE, Thoft-Christensen P, Furuta H, Vrouwenvelder T, 'Summary of Panel Discussion: New generation of codes', STRUCTURAL SAFETY AND RELIABILITY, VOLS. 1-3, INT ASSOC STRUCT SAFETY & RELIABIL, KYOTO, JAPAN (1998)
1998 Val D, Melchers RE, 'Reliability analysis of deteriorating reinforced concrete frame structures', STRUCTURAL SAFETY AND RELIABILITY, VOLS. 1-3, INT ASSOC STRUCT SAFETY & RELIABIL, KYOTO, JAPAN (1998)
1998 Guan XL, Melchers RE, 'Piece-wise linear models for reliability estimation with finite elements', STRUCTURAL SAFETY AND RELIABILITY, VOLS. 1-3, INT ASSOC STRUCT SAFETY & RELIABIL, KYOTO, JAPAN (1998)
1998 Melchers RE, 'Probabilistic modelling of immersion marine corrosion', STRUCTURAL SAFETY AND RELIABILITY, VOLS. 1-3, INT ASSOC STRUCT SAFETY & RELIABIL, KYOTO, JAPAN (1998)
1998 Melchers RE, 'Aspects of Seismic Risk for Existing Infrastructure in Intraplate Regions', Asian-Pacific Workshop on Seismic Design and Retrofit of Structures, Taipei (1998) [E2]
1998 Val DV, Stewart MG, Melchers RE, 'A Probabilistic Approach to the Evaluation of Reinforced Concrete Bridges', Developments in Short and Medium Span Bridge Engineering '98, Calgary (1998) [E1]
1998 Gardiner CP, Melchers RE, 'Aspects of Bulk Carrier Hold Corrosion', International Conference on Design and Operation of Bulk Carriers, London (1998) [E2]
1998 Hough R, Melchers RE, 'Lightweight Structures in Architecture Engineering and Construction Vol. 1', Lightweight Structures in Architecture Engineering and Construction, Vol 1, Australia (1998) [E4]
1998 Hough R, Melchers RE, 'Lightweight Structures in Architecture Engineering and Construction Vol 2', Lightweight Structures in Architecture Engineering and Construction, Vol 2, Australia (1998) [E4]
1998 Melchers RE, 'Immersion Corrosion of Steels in Marine and Brackish Waters', Proceedings Australasian Corrosion Association Inc, Hobart (1998) [E1]
1998 Melchers RE, 'Infrastructure Performance and Research Needs', Proceedings of the Australasian Structural Engineering Conference, Auckland (1998) [E1]
1998 Val DV, Stewart MG, Melchers RE, 'Assessment of Existing RC Structures: Statistical and Reliability Issues', Proceedings of the Second International RILEM/CSIRO/ACRA Conference, Melbourne, Australia (1998) [E2]
1998 Melchers RE, 'Load Path Dependence for Directional Simulation in the Load Space', Proceedings of the eighth IFIP WG7.5 working conference on reliability and optimization of structural systems, 1998, Krakow, Poland (1998) [E1]
1998 Stewart MG, Melchers RE, 'Integrated Risk Assessment', Proceedings of the third conference on Integrated Risk Assessment, Newcastle, Australia (1998) [E4]
1998 Stewart MG, Val DV, Melchers RE, 'Risk-based assessment of deteriorating infrastructure', Proceedings of the third conference on integrated risk assessment, Newcastle, Australia (1998) [E2]
1998 Melchers RE, 'Marine Corrosion of Mild and Low Alloy Steels', SEWC '98, California, USA (1998) [E1]
1998 Val D, Stewart MG, Melchers RE, 'Reliability of Reinforced Concrete Bridges With Corroded Reinforcement', SEWC Conference Proceedings, San Francisco, USA (1998) [E2]
1997 Melchers RE, 'Corrosion of steel in seawater - A poorly formulated but important practical problem', MECHANICS OF STRUCTURES AND MATERIALS, UNIV MELBOURNE, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (1997)
1996 Melchers RE, 'Towards a probabilistic model for marine corrosion of steel', PROBABILISTIC MECHANICS & STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY, WORCESTER, MA (1996)
1996 Guan XL, Melchers RE, 'Load space formulation for reliability estimation of complex structures', PROBABILISTIC MECHANICS & STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY, WORCESTER, MA (1996)
1996 Melchers RE, Jeulin D, 'Synthesis of session 2c: Mechanics of materials: Durability, serviceability', APPLICATIONS OF STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY: CIVIL ENGINEERING RELIABILITY AND RISK ANALYSIS, VOL 3 - FINAL REPORT, PARIS, FRANCE (1996)
1995 MELCHERS RE, 'PROBABILISTIC MODELING OF MARINE CORROSION OF STEEL SPECIMENS', PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIFTH (1995) INTERNATIONAL OFFSHORE AND POLAR ENGINEERING CONFERENCE, VOL IV, THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS (1995)
1995 MELCHERS RE, 'Probabilistic calibration against existing practice as a tool for risk acceptability assessment', INTEGRATED RISK ASSESSMENT, NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA (1995)
1995 MELCHERS RE, 'Probabilistic modelling of seawater corrosion of steel structures', APPLICATIONS OF STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY: CIVIL ENGINEERING RELIABILITY AND RISK ANALYSIS, VOLS 1 AND 2, PARIS, FRANCE (1995)
1994 MELCHERS RE, 'POISSON PROCESSES IN LOAD SPACE RELIABILITY', STRUCTURAL SAFETY & RELIABILITY, VOLS 1-3, INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA (1994)
1994 LI CQ, MELCHERS RE, 'METHODS TO ASSESS TIME-DEPENDENT SERVICEABILITY OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES', STRUCTURAL SAFETY & RELIABILITY, VOLS 1-3, INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA (1994)
1993 MELCHERS RE, 'EARTHQUAKE HAZARD IN AUSTRALIA AND RATIONAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES', ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT : GEO-WATER AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS, WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA (1993)
1993 GUAN XL, MELCHERS RE, 'A NEW PROBABILISTIC FINITE-ELEMENT FORMULATION FOR RELIABILITY-ANALYSIS', PROBABILISTIC METHODS IN GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING, CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA (1993)
1993 MELCHERS RE, 'MODERN COMPUTATIONAL TECHNIQUES FOR RELIABILITY ESTIMATION', PROBABILISTIC METHODS IN GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING, CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA (1993)
1993 TAN CP, DONALD IB, MELCHERS RE, 'PROBABILISTIC SLIP CIRCLE ANALYSIS OF EARTH AND ROCKFILL DAMS', PROBABILISTIC METHODS IN GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING, CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA (1993)
1993 MELCHERS RE, 'ON THE TREATMENT OF UNCERTAINTY INFORMATION IN PRA', PROBABILISTIC RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT, NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA (1993)
1993 AHAMMED M, MELCHERS RE, 'PROBABILISTIC ASSESSMENT OF PIPELINE SERVICE LIFE BASED ON PITTING CORROSION LEAKS', PROBABILISTIC RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT, NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA (1993)
1993 LI CQ, MELCHERS RE, 'A PRACTICAL METHOD TO ASSESS TIME-DEPENDENT STRUCTURAL SYSTEM RELIABILITY', PROBABILISTIC RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT, NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA (1993)
1993 MELCHERS RE, 'SOCIETY, TOLERABLE RISK AND THE ALARP PRINCIPLE', PROBABILISTIC RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT, NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA (1993)
1992 Melchers RE, 'Developments in structural reliability assessment under complex load conditions', Proceedings of the International Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering Symposium (1992)
An important part of the assessment of the reliability of offshore structures involves the estimation of the reliability of the structural system. Most offshore systems are subjec... [more]
An important part of the assessment of the reliability of offshore structures involves the estimation of the reliability of the structural system. Most offshore systems are subject to a number of load processes (e.g., wave load, wind load, earthquake load, etc.). It is clear that not all these processes will be at their peak value at the same time. Hence a representation is necessary which considers the temporal effect of the loading processes. Much conventional structural reliability theory has relied on the use of a 'load combination' approach to represent loads. However, such an approach is not valid unless structures behave linearly elastically to failure. The paper outlines some new directions in the assessment of structural reliability for structures subject to a number of loading processes and which may be deteriorating or changing their resisting values with time. In particular, attention is given to modern methods of simulation to solve the surface integral required for 'time-dependent' reliability evaluation. As is indicated, the computations involves are not necessarily significantly more complex than those which are currently required for so-called 'time-independent' reliability assessments.
1990 MELCHERS RE, 'PROBABILISTIC PROPERTIES OF THIN-WALLED ELEMENTS', THIN-WALLED STRUCTURES, MONASH UNIV, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (1990)
1988 MELCHERS RE, 'STRUCTURAL OPTIMIZATION IN A NON-DETERMINISTIC SETTING', STRUCTURAL OPTIMIZATION /, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (1988)
1973 Melchers RE, 'OPTIMAL DESIGN OF VARIABLE THICKNESS REINFORCED PLATES.' (1973)
Show 290 more conferences
Longer-term progression of localised corrosion of critical infrastructure$550,000
Professor Robert Melchers, Doctor Bobby Mathan, Doctor Igor Chaves, Doctor Bobby Mathan
Discovery Projects
Critical Underground Pipe Sensing$193,184
Funding body: Sydney Water Corporation
Sydney Water Corporation
Professor Robert Melchers, Associate Professor In-Young Yeo
C3111 - Aust For profit
Bibliography review - Corrosion in Australian seawaters for future submarines program$20,000
Funding body: Naval Group Australia
Naval Group Australia
Cast Iron Water Mains Assessments$8,100
Funding body: Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty Ltd
Jacobs Group (Australia) Pty Ltd
Microbiological and abiotic marine corrosion of steel in particulate media$443,870
Professor Robert Melchers, Doctor Igor Chaves, Doctor Bobby Mathan, Bobby Kannan Mathan
Deterioration of structural integrity of ageing ships and marine platforms$50,394
Funding body: Defence Science and Technology Group
Defence Science and Technology Group
Professor Robert Melchers, Professor Chongmin Song, Damian McGuckin, Dr Stuart Cannon, Professor Martin Renilson, Cannon, Stuart, McGuckin, Damian, Professor Martin Renilson, Professor Martin Renilson, Song, Chongmin
Linkage Projects Partner Funding
C2110 - Aust Commonwealth - Own Purpose
UON 2017 Researcher Equipment Grant $50,000
Researcher Equipment Grants
20167 grants / $2,274,894
Long-term corrosion of offshore steel structures in near-stagnant seawater$724,003
Professor Robert Melchers, Doctor Robert Jeffrey
Deterioration of structural integrity of ageing ships and marine platforms$572,748
Professor Robert Melchers, Professor Chongmin Song, Damian McGuckin, Dr Stuart Cannon, Cannon, Stuart, McGuckin, Damian, Professor Martin Renilson, Professor Martin Renilson, Song, Chongmin
Linkage Projects
Collaborative Research Agreement - "Operating ACAPFP Research Outcomes for Sydney Water"$480,000
Professor Robert Melchers, Associate Professor Jayantha Kodikara, Associate Professor Jamie Vallsmiro
C2210 - Aust StateTerritoryLocal - Own Purpose
Facility for Nanometer Scale Microscopy, Characterization, and Fabrication$194,000
Professor Andrew Fleming, Conjoint Professor Rob Atkin, Professor Erica Wanless, Dr Stuart Prescott, Professor Robert Melchers, Associate Professor John Holdsworth, Patrick Cullen, Associate Professor Patrick Spicer, Cullen, Dr Patrick, Prescott, Dr Stuart, Spicer, A/Prof Patrick
Professor Andrew Fleming, Conjoint Professor Rob Atkin, Associate Professor John Holdsworth, Professor Robert Melchers, Professor Erica Wanless, Patrick Cullen, Dr Stuart Prescott, Associate Professor Patrick Spicer, Cullen, Dr Patrick, Prescott, Dr Stuart, Spicer, A/Prof Patrick
Funding body: Pacific Engineering Systems International Pty Ltd
Pacific Engineering Systems International Pty Ltd
Professor Robert Melchers, Professor Chongmin Song, Damian McGuckin, Dr Stuart Cannon, Professor Martin Renilson, Renilson, Martin, Cannon, Stuart, McGuckin, Damian, Professor Martin Renilson, Song, Chongmin
Facility for Nanometer Scale Microscopy, Characterization, and Fabrication$30,000
Funding body: University of New South Wales
Data Analytics on Sewers Project$60,000
Other Public Sector - State
2OPS
Aggressive corrosion of steel infrastructure in marine environments $1,153,308
Structural Reliability and Remaining Life Estimation for Deteriorating Steel Infrastructure$431,608
Professor Robert Melchers, Professor Mark Stewart
Simultaneous Measurements of Reaction Kinetics and Particle Distributions for Cutting-Edge Research into CO2 Storage, Catalysis and Novel Materials$200,000
Conjoint Professor Bogdan Dlugogorski, Professor Eric Kennedy, Professor Behdad Moghtaderi, Professor Michael Stockenhuber, Professor Robert Melchers, Lprof SCOTT Sloan
Conjoint Professor Bogdan Dlugogorski, Professor Eric Kennedy, Professor Behdad Moghtaderi, Professor Michael Stockenhuber, Professor Robert Melchers, Dr Ali Abbas, Associate Professor Marjorie Valix, Associate Professor Andrew Harris, Dr Gallage Kannangara, Professor John Bartlett, Dr Adriyan Milev, Dr Nguyen Tran, Professor Eric May, Associate Professor Thomas Rufford, Associate Professor Brian O'Neill
Advanced condition assessment and failure predication technologies for optimal management of critical pipes$1,087,280
Remaining life estimation for existing deteriorating reinforced concrete infrastructure$320,000
Engineering models for inland atmospheric corrosion of steel infrastructure considering microbiological and environmental influences$1,185,000
Optimal management of corrosion and odour problems in sewer systems$418,981
Funding body: University of Queensland
Effect of dynamic flexure on rusting of steel plate$26,615
Funding body: Institute for Research & Industry Co-operation
Institute for Research & Industry Co-operation
International - Non Competitive
3IFB
Industrial Applications of Corrosion Sensing$9,960
Funding body: CRC for Integrated Engineering Asset Management (CIEAM)
CRC for Integrated Engineering Asset Management (CIEAM)
CRC - Cooperative Research Centre
4CRC
First International Symposium on Life-Cycle Civil Engineering (IALCC08), Varenna, Italy, 11/6/2008 - 14/6/2008$2,500
Modelling of Damage Progression and its Effects on the Expected Safety and Satisfactory Performance of Existing Reinforced Concrete Infrastructure$240,000
Lifetime Oriented Design Concepts, Bochum Germany, 12/11/2007 - 14/11/2007, $2,500
Modeling for life prediction and damage assessment from corrosion and corrosion-assisted damage, 29-31 July 2006$2,400
A study of the moisture assisted deterioration of the mechanical properties of a composite matrix$10,760
Corrosion and Prevention 2005, 20-23 November 2005$1,100
Mathematical modelling of tidal, splash and coastal atmospheric marine corrosion for structural reliability assessment$555,000
Modelling integration of spacial time-dependent variability in structural reliability analysis$217,000
Risk assessment modelling for corrosion affected concrete infrastructure$140,622
Professor Robert Melchers, Associate Professor Chun Li
Linkage International Fellowship
A study of the correlation between pre- and post-demolition performance assessment for prestressed concrete beams in a 45 year old major road bridge$85,668
Professor Robert Melchers, Professor Mark Stewart, Mr Geoff Mulcahy
Funding body: Department of Industry, Energy and Resources
Department of Industry, Energy and Resources
UNKN
Further field trials for marine corrosion of structural steel$11,313
Asian-Pacific Symposium on Structural Reliability and its Applications, 18-20 August 2004$2,025
Field trials for marine corrosion of mild steel in the tidal zone$12,162
Intern Conf Applications of Statistics and Probability in civil Engrgr (ICASP9)$2,400
1st ASRA Net Glasgow, 8-10 July 2002$2,500
Very stiff three-dimensional structural testing facility.$269,500
Emeritus Professor Adrian Page, Professor Robert Melchers
Research Infrastructure Equipment & Facilities (RIEF)
Probabilistic Modelling of Load and Deterioration Processes in Structural Reliability.$214,440
Professor Robert Melchers, Professor A Novikov
Large Grant
Uncertainty Modelling and Probability-Based Assessment for Ageing Concrete Structures.$185,763
Professor Mark Stewart, Professor Robert Melchers, Dr Dimitri Val
Intersection probabilies in structural reliability estimation.$11,000
1 Offshore Mechanics & Arctic Engineering, Brazil, 3-8 June 2001 2 International Conference on Structural & Reliability, USA, 17-22 June 2001$2,500
Deterioration Modelling.$116,000
Funding body: CRC for Advanced Composite Structures
CRC for Advanced Composite Structures
Contract to establish mechanistic models for the integration of corrosion behaviour into ship structural reliability assessments.$10,000
Professor Boris Chernov - November 2000 - December 2000$3,486
Visitor Grant
Am Soc Civil Engrs: Probabilistic Mechanics Conf 2000, USA 24-26 July 2000$2,400
Structural Reliability Techniques applied to Finite Element Problems$164,000
Probabilistic Risk and Reliability Analysis of Aircraft Structures.$50,000
14th International Corrosion Congress, South Africa.$2,186
Universal Testing Machine$250,000
Large Equipment Grant
Development of probabilistic models for marine corrosion of steel for application in offshore structural system reliability analysis$143,021
Structural Reliability Techniques applied to Solid Mechanics Finite Element Problems.$16,000
Small Grant
Melchers - Dr MH Faber - 1/1/98-15/4/98$5,773
Professor Robert Melchers, Dr M Faber
8th IFIP WG 7.5 Working Conference on Optimisation and Reliability of Structural Systems, Poland 11-13 May 1998$2,400
Probabilistic Measures of Serviceability Performance.$121,000
Professor Mark Stewart, Professor Robert Melchers
Reliability assesment of corroding existing reinforced concrete bridges.$10,000
International Conference on Structural Safety and Reliability, Kyoto, Japan, 24-28 November 1997$2,168
Cracking in Masonry - A study in probabilistic structural serviceability.$155,000
Professor Robert Melchers, Emeritus Professor Adrian Page
Reliability analysis of offshore jacket structure using directional simulation$14,000
American Society of Civil Engineers, Specialty Conference on Probabilistic Methods, Worcester, USA, 7-9 August 1996$2,400
95APP. Reliability estimation for corroding structural systems with application to offshore structures.$123,198
Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Multi-Storey Concrete Building Construction$50,562
Multi-Year Small Grant Scholarship
Probabilistic phenomenological modelling of the corrosion of pipelines$40,079
Symposium on risk Analysis - Michigan - 11-12 August 1994$2,400
93,94,95 GRANT. Cracking in Masonry and Reinforced Concrete - A Study in Structural Serviceability.$207,062
Professor Robert Melchers, Emeritus Professor Adrian Page, Doctor Peter Kleeman
Reliability Analysis of Structures Having Time-Dependent Deterioration Properties$21,147
'Symposium on Probabilistic Structural Mechanics' - San Antonio, Texas USA - 7 - 10 June 1993$2,500
92,93,94 GRANT. Stochastic Material Deterioration Mechanisms and the Reliability Assessment of Structural Systems$143,800
Reliability Analysis Of Structures Having Time-dependent Deterioation Properties$10,000
A Finite Element Analysis Technique For Use In Structural Reliability Procedures$8,500
Cracking in Masonry and Reinforced Concrete A Study in Structural Serviceability$211,000
Completed23
2018 PhD Predicting Masonry Brick-Veneer and Cavity Brick Wall Tie Corrosion PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Co-Supervisor
2017 PhD Effect of Microstructure on Corrosion of Mild Steel Welds in Marine Environment PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Co-Supervisor
2017 PhD Microbiological and Abiotic Marine Corrosion of Steel in Particulate Media PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2017 PhD Characterisation of the Influence of Temperature and Nitrogen Concentration on the Long Term Pitting Corrosion of Steel Immersed in Seawater PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2017 PhD Life and Safety of New and Existing Defence Force Assets PhD (Engineering), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Co-Supervisor
2016 PhD Risk Assessment and Mitigation for Australian Contemporary Houses Subjected to Non-Cyclonic Windstorms PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Co-Supervisor
2019 PhD Numerical Failure Assessment of Corroded Steel Pipes PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2019 PhD Characterisation of Pitting Corrosion for Aluminium Alloys in Natural Seawater and Freshwater Immersion Environments PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2018 PhD Systems and Reliability Modelling for Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Improvised Explosive Device Attacks PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Co-Supervisor
2017 PhD Long-term Under-deposit Corrosion of Carbon Steel Pipes in Seawater Environment PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2017 PhD Modelling the Pitting Corrosion Statistics for Cast Iron Pipes PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2016 PhD Forensic Systems Analysis Linking Pipe Failures and Operating States in Water Distribution Systems PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2016 PhD Long-Term Wear of Model Offshore Mooring Chains Under Simulated Working Conditions PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2015 PhD Spatial Time-Dependent Reliability Analysis of Carbonation Induced Corrosion Damage to RC Structures Under a Changing Climate and Cost-Benefit Analysis of Climate Adaptation Strategies PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Co-Supervisor
2015 PhD Service Life Prediction of Corrosion Pitted Pipes PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2014 PhD Electrochemical Testing of Soils for Long-Term Prediction of Corrosion of Ferrous Pipes PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2014 PhD Spatial Reliability Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Structures Subject to Explosive Blast Loading PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Co-Supervisor
2013 PhD Development of Behaviour Models for Pitting Corrosion of Mild Steel Pipeline Welds in Marine Environment PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2013 PhD Probabilistic Modelling of Structural and Safety Hazard Risks for Monolithic Glazing Subject to Explosive Blast Loads PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Co-Supervisor
2010 PhD Spatial Time-Dependent Reliability Analysis and Optimisation of Maintenance Strategies for RC Structures Subject to Corrosion Damage PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Co-Supervisor
2009 PhD Investigating the Correlation Between Pre- and Post-Demolition Assessments for Precast, Post-Tensioned Beams in Service for 45 Years PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2009 PhD Pollution Deposition Rates on Insulator (HV) Surfaces for Use in Atmospheric Corrosivity Estimation PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2007 PhD An Investigation Into Structural Failure PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2005 PhD Spatial Time-Dependent Reliability Analysis of Pretensioned Prestressed Concrete Bridge Girders Subject to Pitting Corrosion PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Co-Supervisor
2005 PhD Generalisation of the "Directional Simulation in the Load Space" Approach to Structural Reliability Analysis PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2004 PhD Reliability Analysis of Degrading Uncertain Structures with Applications to Fatigue and Fracture under Random Loading PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Sole Supervisor
2004 Masters Operational Based Corrosion Analysis of Naval Ship Structures M Eng (Civil Surv & Env) [R], Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Principal Supervisor
2004 PhD Corrosion of Mild Steel in Coastal Waters PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Sole Supervisor
2004 PhD Corrosion-Induced Cracking and Spatial Time-Dependent Reliability Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Structures PhD (Civil Eng), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle Co-Supervisor
Clean water collaboration wins major International award
University of Newcastle’s Professor Robert Melchers has received an international award with a team of national and international researchers and water utilitie
$8.8M ARC funding
Australian Research Council awards University of Newcastle $8.8 million and seven research fellowships.
The Centre for Infrastructure Performance and Reliability
rob.melchers@newcastle.edu.au
EA117/119
Engineering A
NEWS • Nov 08.2013
Centre for Infrastructure Performance and Reliability