Box sections in Marine environment
Box sections in Marine environment
(OP)
Hi,
Is it recommendable to use steel box sections in marine environment ?
Please give your thoughts and suggestions.
Is it recommendable to use steel box sections in marine environment ?
Please give your thoughts and suggestions.






RE: Box sections in Marine environment
RE: Box sections in Marine environment
RE: Box sections in Marine environment
If more than 200 meters from the shoreline, you probably can get reasonable life from box sections using modern corrosion protection, as hokie66 suggested. The problem is internal corrosion, per SAIL3.
Marine shorelines are subject to storm surge flooding (with salt water) in some areas. If this flood water gets inside the box section... its days are numbered.
I would not use box sections until well beyond the storm surge flood area. This could be several miles in some locations.
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RE: Box sections in Marine environment
A common argument against hollow sections is that the inside can't be inspected. On the other hand and despite best intentions, it's quite common for the maintenance budget to become zero dollars over time, in which case the advantage of an open section is that you can clearly see that *both* sides are rusting away, instead of just the outside of the hollow section.
Hollow sections can and have performed well when properly sealed. Properly sealed means remembering that the seal plate will also corrode so a 3mm plate as might be used in a dry environment is inadequate. Use a big weld too.
Hollow sections can be wrapped if required but this is difficult for open sections.
Circular hollow sections are commonly used as piles in marine structures so they have a considerable track record.
Sealed hollow sections are subject to buoyancy force if submerged which should be borne in mind.
RE: Box sections in Marine environment
RE: Box sections in Marine environment
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