Mechanical And Materials Aspects Of Corrosion Protection And Rehabilitation In Buried Pipelines: A Structured Review

Abstract

Buried metallic pipelines lose structural integrity through soil-induced corrosion and interacting mechanical, microbial, and electrochemical processes. This structured narrative review synthesises studies, engineering standards, and reference works on degradation mechanisms, protective coatings, cathodic protection, composite repair, and fitness-for-service assessment. It proposes a conceptual multi-criteria framework for selecting protection and rehabilitation strategies according to pipe material, soil aggressivity, coating adhesion, operating stress, and remaining wall thickness. No method is universally superior across technical, economic, and operational criteria. Polymer coatings combined with cathodic protection are widely applied to new steel pipelines, while fibre-reinforced polymer composite sleeves offer a qualified option for localised wall-loss repair. Integrated coating, electrochemical protection, and inspection-based integrity management appear most suitable for high-consequence pipelines in aggressive soils. The framework is qualitative and not independently validated; practical selection requires site-specific testing, lifecycle cost analysis, and assessment against applicable standards.