Steel Column Protection Below Grade

[strguy11]

Do steel columns below grade need to be protected when in contact with soil?

Normally we use a concrete diamond pour back/isolation joint down to the top of the footing, for the slab which by defalut protects the column from soil interaction. However, we have a particualar job where we are being asked to place gravel around the column, instead of concrete. Will this require any additional protection for the column?

 

[Lion06]

We always galvanize any portion of the column below grade (that is not surrounded by concrete). It seems like water could make its way to your column pretty easily with only gravel.

 

[strguy11]

Thats what I thought. Thanks.

 

[csd72]

bituminous paint or concrete encase.

 

[JAE]

We specify bituminous paint (or we usually call it "asphaltic based paint").

 

[apsix]

Denso tape can be used if you have a particularly aggressive soil.

http://www.denso.net/buriedosc.htm

 

[patswfc]

bituminous paint coating is the standard way of dealing with this in th UK

 

[apsix]

I can't see that placing compacted gravel would be much cheaper than pouring in some mass concrete.