Sensitivity analysis for failure assessment of concrete pipes subjected to sulphide corrosion

Sulphide corrosion in concrete sewers is the most common form of deterioration and should be investigated in failure assessment of sewage systems. Corrosion parameters are considered as random variables because of data scarcity and uncertainties involved in the corrosion affected concrete sewers. Sensitivity analysis is widely accepted as a necessary part of failure assessment of structures and infrastructure, in which the effect of random variables on the failure can be analysed. In the current study, the results of sensitivity analysis of a corrosion affected concrete sewer in the UK showed that among eight random variables, alkalinity of concrete and relative depth of the flow have the most effect on the probability of sewer failure. The analysis showed less significant contribution of some variables in failure functions. Therefore, it would not be necessary to consider those parameters as random variables and they can be treated as deterministic constant values for further studies.