4. Corrosion testing of Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls is a new research topic introduced to Dr. Parameswaran’s research team through his collaborations with his colleague at K-State Civil Engineering. Dr. Stacey Kulesza. Empirical methods with a narrow margin of confidence are currently employed to predict failure of MSE walls. These methods are proximate at best, and the underlying phenomena for failure have not been comprehensively uncovered and used to develop a better predictive method for the failure. Pore water that moves through the MSE walls interacts with the chemical and biological components of the structure, resulting in corrosion and eventual collapse.

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Dr. Parameswaran applies his expertise in detailed chemical characterization of the pore water and soil chemistry and further enhances the corrosivity prediction through electrochemistry tools applied to a corrosion cell. The chemical and electrochemical characterization, when combined with resistivity and site characterization can lead to a precise understanding of the mechanism behind the corrosion and failure, while paving the way for more precise prediction of MSE wall failure.