1. Kevin C. Garrity, PE Mears Group, Inc.
FHWA Workshop: Corrosion Management for Sustainable Bridges A Corrosion Industry Perspective
Kevin C. Garrity, PE
Mears Group, Inc.

2. Challenges and Opportunities
R and D Needs
Technology Development
Technology Exchange
A Delivery Model

3. Global cost of corrosion
3% of World GDP Approximately USD$2.2 Trillion
In most countries the average estimated cost of corrosion is 3% of GDP, but in some countries, like China, it is as high as 5% of GDP. For Israel it’s approximately 3% or $7.29 Billion. In my country a recent report indicated that the amount is now USD$40 billion, or 4% of India’s GDP. Despite these staggering figures, governments and industries pay little attention to corrosion except in high-risk sectors like pipelines. The association is launching an initiative to try to raise awareness among lawmakers, regulators and senior company officials about the potential savings of proper corrosion control.

4. Unstudied costs of corrosion
Labor costs attributed to corrosion management activities
Equipment required because of corrosion-related activities
Loss of revenue due to disruption in supply of product
Loss of credibility and public trust
There are also several costs of corrosion that were not included in the U.S. study including Labor costs attributed to corrosion management activities, Equipment required because of corrosion-related activities, Loss of revenue due to disruption in supply of products, and Loss of credibility and public trust. As we know, these costs could be almost as much as the costs that were included in the study and while loss of public trust may not seem like an obvious cost, it is what often leads to costly regulations.

5. SAVINGS
25-30 % of annual corrosion costs can be saved if optimum corrosion management practices are employed.
In Israel that’s approximately $ Billion Sheqels and globally it’s Trillion Dollars. Nations are wasting money by not investing in corrosion control that can help support economies and sustain or improve public health. The question most frequently asked in response to this data is “how much does it cost to implement corrosion control on a particular asset?” The costs of corrosion control depend on the technologies used and the environment where an asset I located and types of assets that are being protected, but regardless of the cost, I have yet to hear that the expense of investing in corrosion control is more than not investing in it. Our biggest challenge as corrosion control professionals is to make this case to those who do not understand the value of corrosion control and do not want to think about saving an asset or prolonging the life an asset, sometimes because they figure they won’t be around when the asset does corrode and it won’t be their problem. It can be frustrating to try to make the case of investment in corrosion control, but those of you who are as passionate about this as I am, know that we must do our best and work together to get this message across to those in positions to make decisions to do what’s best for the long term.

6. Cost is the problem Competitive Marketplace
Tendency To Spend After a Problem
There’s a competitive marketplace out there. In the pipeline industry for example, consumers want pipeline operators to supply and deliver products at low cost. There’s an out-of-sight = out-of-mind mentality which leads to waiting to spend money dealing with corrosion issues AFTER a problem comes along. These are usually the options

7. A Question of Recognition and Awareness
Our success is judged by What Does Not Happen
The Media and the Public Want to Sensationalize what does happen- The things that have gone wrong.

8. Leo Frigo Bridge

9. Corroded Pier Structural Pile

10. Bay Bridge opening still unclear because of broken bolts
By Charles Piller
By Charles Piller The Sacramento Bee
Last modified: T00:33:48Z
Published: Thursday, Apr. 11, :00 am | Page 1A
Last Modified: Friday, Apr. 12, :33 pm Read more here:
Engineers around the world anxiously awaiting results of Bay Bridge bolt failure analysis
By Lisa Vorderbrueggen Contra Costa Times
Posted:   05/02/ :32:14 PM PDT
Updated:   05/03/ :47:41 AM PDT
Experts raise new doubts about essential Bay Bridge rods
By Charles Piller
8, 2013 
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Read more here:

11. Sustainability and Reliability
Not mutually exclusive
Corrosion Community needs help.
We need to identify the tools
Need help from the Stakeholders
Workshop affords a great opportunity fro collaborative thought.