An investigation on the degradation of the Mechanical Properties of Mild Steel Pipeline in Simulated Soil and Tap Water Environments sourced from Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia

An investigation on the degradation of the Mechanical Properties of Mild Steel Pipeline in Simulated Soil and Tap Water Environments sourced from Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article An investigation on the degradation of the Mechanical Properties of Mild Steel Pipeline in Simulated Soil and Tap Water Environments sourced from Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia Obsa Tamiru Mekonen, Felege Nekatibeb Gebremariam, Bayisa Gemeda Shuku This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7366611/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 11 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Corrosion of mild steel pipelines is a primary threat to water infrastructure integrity in Ethiopia, yet data on how local environmental conditions affect material strength is scarce. This study provides the first quantitative link between specific corrosive media from Bishoftu, Ethiopia, and the resulting degradation of pipeline steel's mechanical properties. Standard mild steel specimens were immersed for 720 hours in three environments: tap water from the Bishoftu municipal supply, simulated external soil, and simulated internal soil sediment, with soil chemistry based on local analysis. Corrosion rates were calculated via the weight loss method (ASTM G1), and the change in ultimate tensile and compressive strength was measured. Bishoftu tap water proved to be the most aggressive medium, yielding a corrosion rate of 0.138 mm/year, significantly higher than that of external soil (0.114 mm/year) and internal soil sediment (0.091 mm/year). This corrosive attack directly led to a substantial loss of mechanical integrity, with compressive strength reduced by up to 11.3% and tensile strength by 8.9% in the tap water environment. These findings offer a critical, region-specific dataset that directly correlates environmental corrosivity with mechanical failure potential. This work provides an essential tool for developing predictive maintenance strategies and more accurate service life assessments for critical water pipelines in Ethiopia and geologically similar regions. Clinical trial Study registration details: Not applicable. Mild Steel Corrosion Mechanical Properties Pipeline Integrity Soil Corrosion Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 1. Introduction The operational integrity of water distribution networks is fundamental to public health and economic stability. Mild steel is extensively used for these pipelines due to its excellent mechanical properties, availability, and cost-effectiveness. However, it is highly susceptible to corrosion, a natural electrochemical process that degrades the material and compromises its structural integrity [1]. The global cost of corrosion is estimated to be over 3% of the world's GDP, with a significant portion related to the maintenance and replacement of aging infrastructure like pipelines [2]. In developing regions like Ethiopia, ensuring the longevity of this critical infrastructure is paramount for sustainable development. Pipeline failure can occur due to various corrosion mechanisms, which differ between the external and internal surfaces. The external surface is in constant contact with soil, whose properties—such as moisture content, pH, resistivity, and microbial activity—dictate the rate of degradation [3, 4]. These soil properties can vary dramatically by geographic location the internal surface is exposed to the transported water, where factors like dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and the presence of ions like chlorides and sulfates play a crucial role [5]. Furthermore, sediment and soil particles carried within the water can settle, creating localized corrosion cells and exacerbating internal damage. While many studies have investigated corrosion rates of mild steel in various media [6, 7], a direct, quantitative link between the corrosion rate and the resultant degradation in both tensile and compressive strength is less commonly reported, especially for specific local environments found in Ethiopia. This study aims to bridge this gap by simulating three distinct, realistic corrosive environments for a water pipeline as found in the Bishoftu area of Ethiopia: Internal Soil solution (ISS): Simulating settled sediment inside the pipe, based on local conditions. External Soil solution (ESS): Simulating the surrounding soil environment of Bishoftu. Tap Water (TW): Representing the internal aqueous environment from the Bishoftu municipal water supply. By systematically measuring weight loss and the corresponding reduction in mechanical strength, this research provides crucial region to specific data for engineers to better predict the remaining service life and failure risk of mild steel pipelines. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Material and Specimen Preparation The material used was commercial-grade mild steel (equivalent to ASTM A36/Q235), obtained from an existing water pipelining the Bishoftu region. The chemical composition was verified using spectrometry and found to be within standard specifications for low-carbon steel (wt%: 0.18 C, 0.35 Mn, and 0.12 Si). Two types of specimens were prepared, as shown in Figure 1. Tensile test specimens were machined into a "dog-bone" shape according to the ASTM E8/E8M standard. Rectangular specimens were prepared for compression tests. All specimens were ground with 600-grit SiC paper, degreased with acetone, dried, and weighed to a precision of ±0.1 mg. 2.2. Corrosive-Environments Three corrosive media were prepared. The tap water (TW) was sourced directly from the municipal laboratory supply in Bishoftu, Ethiopia, and used as-is. The simulated internal soil (ISS) and external soil (ESS) solutions were prepared based on the analysis of real soil samples collected from a pipeline service location [in the Bishoftu area] [8]. Key chemical parameters of the local soil (e.g., Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, pH, and resistivity) were determined, and reagent-grade salts were dissolved in distilled water to create simulated solutions that chemically mirrored these field conditions. 2.3. Immersion Test and Corrosion Rate Calculation Specimens were fully immersed in the three media at a constant ambient temperature of 25 °C for a total of 720 hours. Triplicate specimens were withdrawn at intervals of 240, 480, and 720 hours. After removal, corrosion products were cleaned according to the ASTM G1-03 standard using an inhibited HCl solution [9]. The specimens were then rinsed, dried, and reweighed to determine the mass loss (ΔW).The average corrosion rate (CR) in millimeters per year (mm/year) was calculated using the standard formula [10]: CR (mm/year) = (K × ΔW) / (A × T × D) where K = 8.76 × 10⁴, ΔW is mass loss (g), A is total exposed surface area (cm²), T is exposure time (h), and D is the density of mild steel (7.85 g/cm³). 2.4. Mechanical Testing Uncorded (control) and corroded specimens (after 720 hours) were subjected to mechanical testing using a universal testing machine to determine the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and compressive strength. 3. Results 3.1. Visual Inspection and Corrosion Rate Visual inspection of the specimens after 720 hours revealed distinct differences in the corrosion products formed in each simulated Bishoftu-specific environment (Figure 2). Specimens immersed in Bishoftu tap water (TW) exhibited a loose, reddish-brown, flocculent rust, characteristic of iron oxides formed in highly oxygenated, near-neutral pH water. In contrast, those in the simulated soil solutions (ESS and ISS), designed to mimic the region's volcanic soils, formed a darker, more adherent, and more compact corrosion film. The immersion tests revealed a consistent trend of increasing weight loss over time for all specimens, as shown in Figure 3. The most significant weight loss and, therefore, the highest corrosion activity was recorded in the tap water (TW) environment. This was followed by the external soil solution (ESS), with the internal soil solution (ISS) showing the least aggressive behavior. After 720 hours of immersion, the calculated average corrosion rates confirmed the trend observed in the weight loss data. The corrosion rates for the different environments, which directly reflect the corrosivity of the local media, are summarized in Table 1. The ~0.14 mm/year rate in tap water is notably higher than the rates in the soil environments. Table 1. Corrected average corrosion rates after 720 hours of immersion. Corrosive Environment Average Corrosion Rate (mm/year) G1: Internal Soil Solution (ISS) 0.091 G2: External Soil Solution (ESS) 0.114 G3: Tap Water (TW) 0.138 3.2. Degradation of Mechanical Properties The material loss from corrosion led to a measurable and statistically significant reduction in the mechanical strength of the steel. Both ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and compressive strength decreased after 30 days of exposure in all three media. The degree of strength degradation correlated directly with the aggressiveness of the environment. The greatest strength reduction occurred in the tap water (TW) environment, corresponding to its highest corrosion rate. A graphical comparison of the strength before and after corrosion is shown in Figures 4 and 5, with the initial values, final values, and percentage reduction summarized in strength under conditions simulating Bishoftu's tap water highlight a significant risk to pipeline integrity. Table 2. Critically, the 8.9% reduction in tensile strength and 11.3% reduction in compressive Table 2. Mechanical properties of mild steel before and after 720-hour exposure. Mechanical Property Corrosive Environment Initial Strength (MPa) Final Strength (MPa) % Reduction Tensile Strength G1: Internal Soil Solution (ISS) 397 389.5 1.9 % G2: External Soil Solution (ESS) 397 374.0 5.8 % G3: Tap Water (TW) 397 361.8 8.9 % Compressive Strength G1: Internal Soil Solution (ISS) 174.5 168.9 3.2 % G2: External Soil Solution (ESS) 174.5 156.4 10.4 % G3: Tap Water (TW) 174.5 154.8 11.3 % 4. Discussion The results of this study establish a clear, quantitative link between the specific corrosive environments of Bishoftu, Ethiopia, and the resulting degradation of mild steel's mechanical properties. The observed hierarchy of corrosively (Tap Water > External Soil > Internal Soil) can be explained by analyzing the distinct electrochemical conditions driven by the region's unique hydrogeology and soil characteristics. High Corrosivity of Tap Water in Bishoftu Town The primary reason for the aggressive nature of the tap water (CR ≈ 0.14 mm/year) is twofold. First, as a flowing and treated municipal water source, it is well-aerated, ensuring a continuous supply of dissolved oxygen—the primary cathodic reactant for steel corrosion in neutral environments. Second, and critically for a municipal supply, the water is likely treated with chlorine-based disinfectants. This process introduces residual chlorine and chloride ions (Cl⁻), which are notoriously aggressive. Chloride ions act to break down the passive oxide film that naturally protects steel, initiating and accelerating corrosion [ 11 ]. The water sources in the Bishoftu area, being situated in the East African Rift Valley, may also naturally contain higher levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) and minerals compared to other regions, potentially increasing water conductivity and thus the corrosion rate. Influence of Bishoftu's Volcanic Soil Chemistry In contrast, the simulated soil solutions were less corrosive. [This is likely due to two key factors related to the volcanic soils of the Bishoftu region. First, the soil solutions were formulated with carbonate and bicarbonate ions, which react with calcium and magnesium (prevalent in local soils) to precipitate a thin, partially protective layer of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) scale on the steel surface [ 12 ]. This scale acts as a physical barrier, limiting the diffusion of oxygen to the metal. Second, and perhaps more importantly, a saturated soil environment is fundamentally different from flowing water in terms of oxygen availability. Saturated, fine-grained volcanic soil, as found in the region, would have significantly lower oxygen diffusion rates than flowing tap water. This oxygen-limited condition naturally slows the cathodic reaction, resulting in a lower corrosion rate (ESS ≈ 0.11 mm/year). The even lower corrosion rate observed in the internal soil sediment simulation (ISS ≈ 0.09 mm/year) can be attributed to an even more severe oxygen deficiency. Settled sediment at the bottom of a water pipeline creates a stagnant, anaerobic, or anoxic micro-environment. The lack of oxygen at the direct metal-sediment interface severely stifles the corrosion process, explaining why it was the least aggressive environment tested. Implications for Pipeline Integrity in Ethiopia and Seasonal Considerations The direct correlation between corrosion rate and strength loss (Table 2 ) is of immense practical importance for Ethiopian water authorities and engineers managing the Bishoftu network. The data suggests that internal corrosion from tap water is the most immediate threat to mechanical integrity. However, it is crucial to consider the limitations of this short-term study in the context ofnEthiopia's climate, which is characterized by a distinct long wet season and a long dry season. During the wet season, the soil surrounding external pipelines would be highly saturated, mirroring our ESS conditions. During the dry season, however, the soil may dry out, leading to different corrosion mechanisms or rates. This seasonal cycling of wetness and dryness can be more damaging than constant immersion, as it repeatedly reintroduces oxygen to the pipe surface. Furthermore, while our study focused on uniform corrosion, the presence of chlorides in the water and non-uniformities in the soil make localized pitting corrosion a significant long-term threat. Pitting can cause premature perforation and failure long before significant uniform wall loss occurs [ 15 ]. Therefore, while the measured corrosion rates fall within a "satisfactory" range by some standards [ 14 ], the corresponding strength loss of ~ 10% in just one-month highlights that this "satisfactory" rate poses a real, quantifiable risk to the pipeline's load-bearing capacity and service life. This data provides a crucial baseline for developing more accurate predictive maintenance models tailored to the specific environmental challenges of the Bishoftu region. 5. Conclusion This study successfully quantified the degradation of mild steel's mechanical properties when exposed to simulated pipeline service environments. The following conclusions were drawn: 1. The corrosivity of the environments decreased in the order: Tap Water > External Soil > Internal Soil, with the most corrosive being the Tap Water. 2. The highest corrosion rate, observed in tap water (~ 0.14 mm/year), is attributed to the combined effect of dissolved oxygen and aggressive chloride ions. 3. The reduction in mechanical properties correlated directly with the corrosion rate. After 720 hours, tensile strength was reduced by up to 8.9% and compressive strength by up to 11.3%. 4. The results provide essential quantitative data linking environmental conditions to material integrity, aiding in the development of more accurate models for predicting the service life of mild steel water pipelines. Declarations Funding Declaration: There is no Funding Ethics and consent to participate declarations: Not applicable. Consent for publications Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare no Conflict of interest Acknowledgments The authors would like to thank the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at the Ethiopian Defense University, College of Engineering, for providing the laboratory facilities and technical support necessary to conduct this research. We also extend our gratitude to the technical staff who assisted with the operation of the universal testing machine and sample preparation. References G. Up, "The Effects and Corrosion," in Corrosion, 2000, pp. 1-21. J. M. Mazumder, "Global Impact of Corrosion: Occurrence, Cost and Mitigation," Global Journal of Engineering Sciences, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 0-4, 2020. H. M. Ezuber, A. Alshater, S. M. Z. Hossain, and A. El-basir, "Impact of Soil Characteristics and Moisture Content on the Corrosion of Underground Steel Pipelines," Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering , 2020. A. S. Ikechukwu, N. H. Ugochukwu, A. Reginald, and E. 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RI, "Corrosion Evaluation on Mild Steel in Different Selected Media," International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology , vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 33-38, 2020 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 14 Oct, 2025 Reviews received at journal 02 Oct, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 01 Oct, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 01 Oct, 2025 Reviews received at journal 29 Sep, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 20 Sep, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 20 Sep, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 16 Sep, 2025 Editor invited by journal 16 Sep, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 15 Sep, 2025 First submitted to journal 15 Sep, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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16:43:24","extension":"xml","order_by":19,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":53962,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"23fcb5b3e544476fbd146c2851815d301structuring.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7366611/v1/dd3afa402ec226456b6b7238.xml"},{"id":92611574,"identity":"c713c575-0ec0-4389-b67b-cd6ff54ae409","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-01 16:35:24","extension":"html","order_by":20,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":62348,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"earlyproof.html","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7366611/v1/e3c4843589e83edf7baf16ee.html"},{"id":92611560,"identity":"7eaf2b2a-2ab4-4871-b4a5-094a27612244","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-01 16:35:23","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":493119,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSchematic of test specimens used: (a) Tensile test specimen (ASTM E8) and (b) Rectangular compression test specimen. Dimensions are in mm.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7366611/v1/cb63bfb812cba0b8fa235963.png"},{"id":92612355,"identity":"0999b46d-5275-4fde-91ec-9e3f59bfbe85","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-01 16:43:23","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":1957267,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eVisual appearance of tensile specimens after 720 hours of immersion in (a) Tap Water (TW), (b) External Soil Solution (ESS), and (c) Internal Soil Solution (ISS), showing the formation of different corrosion products.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7366611/v1/2bae0915786b15faaa0b1d78.png"},{"id":92611561,"identity":"42661133-bfde-4a68-a1f7-b35f94930ff1","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-01 16:35:23","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":224779,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eAverage weight loss of tensile (a), and compression (b) specimens, respectively as a function of immersion time in the three corrosive environments.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7366611/v1/5f3f7a62d63fce14be69a15d.png"},{"id":92612356,"identity":"15213218-d9cf-449d-adec-a1a316a08f3d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-01 16:43:23","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":68270,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eComparison of ultimate tensile strength (UTS) before and after 720-hour exposure, showing the negative impact of each corrosive environment.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7366611/v1/03755eaf9be168c25d8f75e4.png"},{"id":92611563,"identity":"7df0c7b1-8428-4078-857b-928b8a2afd2c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-01 16:35:23","extension":"png","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":79058,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eComparison of compressive strength before and after 720-hour exposure, demonstrating strength degradation in all media.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7366611/v1/cae76c06cbb451176cc9bea6.png"},{"id":92612999,"identity":"1ec8d19b-201f-4a25-86a2-eed4e432bb2d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-01 16:59:30","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":4610621,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7366611/v1/db95b70a-f767-48a4-ab9b-d680d3ee4ce5.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"An investigation on the degradation of the Mechanical Properties of Mild Steel Pipeline in Simulated Soil and Tap Water Environments sourced from Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe operational integrity of water distribution networks is fundamental to public health and economic stability. Mild steel is extensively used for these pipelines due to its excellent mechanical properties, availability, and cost-effectiveness. However, it is highly susceptible to corrosion, a natural electrochemical process that degrades the material and compromises its structural integrity [1]. The global cost of corrosion is estimated to be over 3% of the world's GDP, with a significant portion related to the maintenance and replacement of aging infrastructure like pipelines\u0026nbsp;[2]. In developing regions like Ethiopia, ensuring the longevity of this critical infrastructure is paramount for sustainable development.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePipeline failure can occur due to various corrosion mechanisms, which differ between the external and internal surfaces. The external surface is in constant contact with soil, whose properties—such as moisture content, pH, resistivity, and microbial activity—dictate the rate of degradation [3, 4].\u0026nbsp;These soil properties can vary dramatically by geographic location the internal surface is exposed to the transported water, where factors like dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and the presence of ions like chlorides and sulfates play a crucial role [5]. Furthermore, sediment and soil particles carried within the water can settle, creating localized corrosion cells and exacerbating internal damage.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile many studies have investigated corrosion rates of mild steel in various media [6, 7], a direct, quantitative link between the corrosion rate and the resultant degradation in both tensile and compressive strength is less commonly reported, \u003cstrong\u003eespecially for specific local environments found in Ethiopia.\u003c/strong\u003e This study aims to bridge this gap by simulating three distinct, realistic corrosive environments for a water pipeline \u003cstrong\u003eas found in the Bishoftu area of Ethiopia:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col start=\"1\" type=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInternal Soil solution (ISS):\u003c/strong\u003e Simulating settled sediment inside the pipe, based on local conditions.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExternal Soil solution (ESS):\u003c/strong\u003e Simulating the surrounding soil environment \u003cstrong\u003eof Bishoftu.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTap Water (TW):\u003c/strong\u003e Representing the internal aqueous environment from the \u003cstrong\u003eBishoftu municipal water supply.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy systematically measuring weight loss and the corresponding reduction in mechanical strength, this research provides crucial region to specific data for engineers to better predict the remaining service life and failure risk of mild steel pipelines.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Materials and Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2.1. Material and Specimen Preparation\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe material used was commercial-grade mild steel (equivalent to ASTM A36/Q235), obtained from an existing water pipelining the Bishoftu region. The chemical composition was verified using spectrometry and found to be within standard specifications for low-carbon steel (wt%: 0.18 C, 0.35 Mn, and 0.12 Si).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo types of specimens were prepared, as shown in Figure 1. Tensile test specimens were machined into a \u0026quot;dog-bone\u0026quot; shape according to the ASTM E8/E8M standard. Rectangular specimens were prepared for compression tests. All specimens were ground with 600-grit SiC paper, degreased with acetone, dried, and weighed to a precision of \u0026plusmn;0.1 mg.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2.2. Corrosive-Environments\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u0026nbsp;Three corrosive media were prepared. The tap water (TW) was sourced directly from the municipal laboratory supply in Bishoftu, Ethiopia, and used as-is. The simulated internal soil (ISS) and external soil (ESS) solutions were prepared based on the analysis of real soil samples collected from a pipeline service location [in the Bishoftu area] [8]. Key chemical parameters of the local soil (e.g., Ca\u0026sup2;⁺, Mg\u0026sup2;⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄\u0026sup2;⁻, pH, and resistivity) were determined, and reagent-grade salts were dissolved in distilled water to create simulated solutions that chemically mirrored these field conditions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2.3. Immersion Test and Corrosion Rate Calculation\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecimens were fully immersed in the three media at a constant ambient temperature of 25 \u0026deg;C for a total of 720 hours. Triplicate specimens were withdrawn at intervals of 240, 480, and 720 hours. After removal, corrosion products were cleaned according to the ASTM G1-03 standard using an inhibited HCl solution [9]. The specimens were then rinsed, dried, and reweighed to determine the mass loss (\u0026Delta;W).The average corrosion rate (CR) in millimeters per year (mm/year) was calculated using the standard formula [10]: \u003cstrong\u003eCR (mm/year) = (K \u0026times; \u0026Delta;W) / (A \u0026times; T \u0026times; D)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003ewhere K = 8.76 \u0026times; 10⁴, \u0026Delta;W is mass loss (g), A is total exposed surface area (cm\u0026sup2;), T is exposure time (h), and D is the density of mild steel (7.85 g/cm\u0026sup3;).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2.4. Mechanical Testing\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u0026nbsp;Uncorded (control) and corroded specimens (after 720 hours) were subjected to mechanical testing using a universal testing machine to determine the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and compressive strength.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3.1. Visual Inspection and Corrosion Rate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVisual inspection of the specimens after 720 hours revealed distinct differences in the corrosion products formed in each simulated Bishoftu-specific environment (Figure 2). Specimens immersed in Bishoftu tap water (TW) exhibited a loose, reddish-brown, flocculent rust, characteristic of iron oxides formed in highly oxygenated, near-neutral pH water. In contrast, those in the simulated soil solutions (ESS and ISS), designed to mimic the region\u0026apos;s volcanic soils, formed a darker, more adherent, and more compact corrosion film.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe immersion tests revealed a consistent trend of increasing weight loss over time for all specimens, as shown in Figure 3. The most significant weight loss and, therefore, the highest corrosion activity was recorded in the tap water (TW) environment. This was followed by the external soil solution (ESS), with the internal soil solution (ISS) showing the least aggressive behavior.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter 720 hours of immersion, the calculated average corrosion rates confirmed the trend observed in the weight loss data. The corrosion rates for the different environments, which directly reflect the corrosivity of the local media, are summarized in \u003cstrong\u003eTable 1.\u003c/strong\u003e The ~0.14 mm/year rate in tap water is notably higher than the rates in the soil environments.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1.\u003c/strong\u003e Corrected average corrosion rates after 720 hours of immersion.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"618\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 276px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCorrosive Environment\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 342px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAverage Corrosion Rate (mm/year)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 276px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eG1: Internal Soil Solution (ISS)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 342px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.091\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 276px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eG2: External Soil Solution (ESS)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 342px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.114\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 276px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eG3: Tap Water (TW)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 342px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.138\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3.2. Degradation of Mechanical Properties\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe material loss from corrosion led to a measurable and statistically significant reduction in the mechanical strength of the steel. Both ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and compressive strength decreased after 30 days of exposure in all three media.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe degree of strength degradation correlated directly with the aggressiveness of the environment. The greatest strength reduction occurred in the tap water (TW) environment, corresponding to its highest corrosion rate. A graphical comparison of the strength before and after corrosion is shown in Figures 4 and 5, with the initial values, final values, and percentage reduction summarized in strength under conditions simulating Bishoftu\u0026apos;s tap water highlight a significant risk to pipeline integrity. Table 2. Critically, the 8.9% reduction in tensile strength and 11.3% reduction in compressive\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 2.\u003c/strong\u003e Mechanical properties of mild steel before and after 720-hour exposure.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"630\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMechanical Property\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 203px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCorrosive Environment\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInitial Strength (MPa)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 111px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFinal Strength (MPa)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e% Reduction\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTensile Strength\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 203px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eG1: Internal Soil Solution (ISS)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e397\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 111px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e389.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.9 %\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 203px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eG2: External Soil Solution (ESS)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e397\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 111px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e374.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.8 %\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 203px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eG3: Tap Water (TW)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e397\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 111px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e361.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.9 %\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 102px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompressive Strength\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 203px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eG1: Internal Soil Solution (ISS)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e174.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 111px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e168.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.2 %\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 203px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eG2: External Soil Solution (ESS)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e174.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 111px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e156.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.4 %\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 203px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eG3: Tap Water (TW)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 112px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e174.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 111px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e154.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 101px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.3 %\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e"},{"header":"4. Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe results of this study establish a clear, quantitative link between the specific corrosive environments of Bishoftu, Ethiopia, and the resulting degradation of mild steel's mechanical properties. The observed hierarchy of corrosively (Tap Water\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;External Soil\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;Internal Soil) can be explained by analyzing the distinct electrochemical conditions driven by the region's unique hydrogeology and soil characteristics.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHigh Corrosivity of Tap Water in Bishoftu Town\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe primary reason for the aggressive nature of the tap water (CR\u0026thinsp;\u0026asymp;\u0026thinsp;0.14 mm/year) is twofold. First, as a flowing and treated municipal water source, it is well-aerated, ensuring a continuous supply of dissolved oxygen\u0026mdash;the primary cathodic reactant for steel corrosion in neutral environments. Second, and critically for a municipal supply, the water is likely treated with chlorine-based disinfectants. This process introduces residual chlorine and chloride ions (Cl⁻), which are notoriously aggressive. Chloride ions act to break down the passive oxide film that naturally protects steel, initiating and accelerating corrosion [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. The water sources in the Bishoftu area, being situated in the East African Rift Valley, may also naturally contain higher levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) and minerals compared to other regions, potentially increasing water conductivity and thus the corrosion rate. Influence of Bishoftu's Volcanic Soil Chemistry\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn contrast, the simulated soil solutions were less corrosive. [This is likely due to two key factors related to the volcanic soils of the Bishoftu region. First, the soil solutions were formulated with carbonate and bicarbonate ions, which react with calcium and magnesium (prevalent in local soils) to precipitate a thin, partially protective layer of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) scale on the steel surface [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e]. This scale acts as a physical barrier, limiting the diffusion of oxygen to the metal. Second, and perhaps more importantly, a saturated soil environment is fundamentally different from flowing water in terms of oxygen availability. Saturated, fine-grained volcanic soil, as found in the region, would have significantly lower oxygen diffusion rates than flowing tap water. This oxygen-limited condition naturally slows the cathodic reaction, resulting in a lower corrosion rate (ESS\u0026thinsp;\u0026asymp;\u0026thinsp;0.11 mm/year).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe even lower corrosion rate observed in the internal soil sediment simulation (ISS\u0026thinsp;\u0026asymp;\u0026thinsp;0.09 mm/year) can be attributed to an even more severe oxygen deficiency. Settled sediment at the bottom of a water pipeline creates a stagnant, anaerobic, or anoxic micro-environment. The lack of oxygen at the direct metal-sediment interface severely stifles the corrosion process, explaining why it was the least aggressive environment tested.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eImplications for Pipeline Integrity in Ethiopia and Seasonal Considerations\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe direct correlation between corrosion rate and strength loss (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e) is of immense practical importance for Ethiopian water authorities and engineers managing the Bishoftu network. The data suggests that internal corrosion from tap water is the most immediate threat to mechanical integrity. However, it is crucial to consider the limitations of this short-term study in the context ofnEthiopia's climate, which is characterized by a distinct long wet season and a long dry season. During the wet season, the soil surrounding external pipelines would be highly saturated, mirroring our ESS conditions. During the dry season, however, the soil may dry out, leading to different corrosion mechanisms or rates. This seasonal cycling of wetness and dryness can be more damaging than constant immersion, as it repeatedly reintroduces oxygen to the pipe surface. Furthermore, while our study focused on uniform corrosion, the presence of chlorides in the water and non-uniformities in the soil make localized pitting corrosion a significant long-term threat. Pitting can cause premature perforation and failure long before significant uniform wall loss occurs [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e]. Therefore, while the measured corrosion rates fall within a \"satisfactory\" range by some standards [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e], the corresponding strength loss of ~\u0026thinsp;10% in just one-month highlights that this \"satisfactory\" rate poses a real, quantifiable risk to the pipeline's load-bearing capacity and service life. This data provides a crucial baseline for developing more accurate predictive maintenance models tailored to the specific environmental challenges of the Bishoftu region.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"5. Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study successfully quantified the degradation of mild steel's mechanical properties when exposed to simulated pipeline service environments. The following conclusions were drawn:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e1. The corrosivity of the environments decreased in the order: Tap Water\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;External Soil\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;Internal Soil, with the most corrosive being the Tap Water.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e2. The highest corrosion rate, observed in tap water (~\u0026thinsp;0.14 mm/year), is attributed to the combined effect of dissolved oxygen and aggressive chloride ions.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e3. The reduction in mechanical properties correlated directly with the corrosion rate. After 720 hours, tensile strength was reduced by up to 8.9% and compressive strength by up to 11.3%.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e4. The results provide essential quantitative data linking environmental conditions to material integrity, aiding in the development of more accurate models for predicting the service life of mild steel water pipelines.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFunding Declaration:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no Funding\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eEthics and consent to participate declarations:\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eConsent for publications\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no Conflict of interest\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgments\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors would like to thank the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at the Ethiopian Defense University, College of Engineering, for providing the laboratory facilities and technical support necessary to conduct this research. We also extend our gratitude to the technical staff who assisted with the operation of the universal testing machine and sample preparation.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eG. Up, \u0026quot;The Effects and Corrosion,\u0026quot; in Corrosion, 2000, pp. 1-21.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJ. M. Mazumder, \u0026quot;Global Impact of Corrosion: Occurrence, Cost and Mitigation,\u0026quot; Global Journal of Engineering Sciences, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 0-4, 2020.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eH. M. Ezuber, A. Alshater, S. M. Z. Hossain, and A. El-basir, \u0026quot;Impact of Soil Characteristics and Moisture Content on the Corrosion of Underground Steel Pipelines,\u0026quot; \u003cem\u003eArabian Journal for Science and Engineering\u003c/em\u003e, 2020.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA. S. Ikechukwu, N. H. Ugochukwu, A. Reginald, and E. 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Chapman, \u0026quot;Disinfectant resistance mechanisms, cross-resistance, and co-resistance,\u0026quot; vol. 51, pp. 271-276, 2003.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eR. D. Goodwin and W. M. Haynes, \u0026quot;Corrosion of Metallic Pipes Transporting Potable Water - Laboratory Methods,\u0026quot; \u003cem\u003eNational Bureau of Standards Technical Note 974\u003c/em\u003e, p. 36, 1978.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eP. Harcourt, \u0026quot;Evaluation of Corrosion Behaviour of Pipeline Steel Structure in Onshore Environment,\u0026quot; vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 40-48, 2015.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZ. Y. Liu, X. G. Li, C. W. Du, and Y. F. Cheng, \u0026quot;A local additional potential model for the effect of strain rate on SCC of pipeline steel in an acidic soil solution,\u0026quot; \u003cem\u003eCorrosion Science\u003c/em\u003e, vol. 51, no. 12, pp. 2863-2871, 2009.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eS. Parapurath, L. Jacob, E. Gunister, and N. Vahdati, \u0026quot;Effect of Microstructure on Electrochemical Properties of the EN S275 Mild Steel under Chlorine-Rich and Chlorine-Free Media at Different pHs,\u0026quot; \u003cem\u003eMetals\u003c/em\u003e, vol. 12, no. 8, 2022.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eO. SO, O. EK, and T. RI, \u0026quot;Corrosion Evaluation on Mild Steel in Different Selected Media,\u0026quot; \u003cem\u003eInternational Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology\u003c/em\u003e, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 33-38, 2020\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-applied-sciences","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Applied Sciences](https://link.springer.com/journal/42452)","snPcode":"42452","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/42452/3","title":"Discover Applied Sciences","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Mild Steel, Corrosion, Mechanical Properties, Pipeline Integrity, Soil Corrosion","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7366611/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7366611/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eCorrosion of mild steel pipelines is a primary threat to water infrastructure integrity in Ethiopia, yet data on how local environmental conditions affect material strength is scarce. This study provides the first quantitative link between specific corrosive media from Bishoftu, Ethiopia, and the resulting degradation of pipeline steel's mechanical properties. Standard mild steel specimens were immersed for 720 hours in three environments: tap water from the Bishoftu municipal supply, simulated external soil, and simulated internal soil sediment, with soil chemistry based on local analysis. Corrosion rates were calculated via the weight loss method (ASTM G1), and the change in ultimate tensile and compressive strength was measured. Bishoftu tap water proved to be the most aggressive medium, yielding a corrosion rate of 0.138 mm/year, significantly higher than that of external soil (0.114 mm/year) and internal soil sediment (0.091 mm/year). This corrosive attack directly led to a substantial loss of mechanical integrity, with compressive strength reduced by up to 11.3% and tensile strength by 8.9% in the tap water environment. These findings offer a critical, region-specific dataset that directly correlates environmental corrosivity with mechanical failure potential. This work provides an essential tool for developing predictive maintenance strategies and more accurate service life assessments for critical water pipelines in Ethiopia and geologically similar regions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClinical trial Study registration details: Not applicable.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"An investigation on the degradation of the Mechanical Properties of Mild Steel Pipeline in Simulated Soil and Tap Water Environments sourced from Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-10-01 16:35:19","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7366611/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-10-14T09:06:01+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-10-02T04:17:56+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"303672124070471596041553134231050152531","date":"2025-10-02T03:19:48+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"213870714403408238932209979743709114262","date":"2025-10-01T07:02:49+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-09-29T09:42:39+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"204536426810812064363619554953807783480","date":"2025-09-20T13:29:48+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-09-20T11:04:43+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-09-16T07:09:11+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2025-09-16T05:11:33+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-09-15T08:08:03+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Discover Applied Sciences","date":"2025-09-15T07:50:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-applied-sciences","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Applied Sciences](https://link.springer.com/journal/42452)","snPcode":"42452","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/42452/3","title":"Discover Applied Sciences","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"22a8e9ca-cbeb-4e04-a6c6-8f2c850423a4","owner":[],"postedDate":"October 1st, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-01-06T06:24:24+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-10-01 16:35:19","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7366611","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7366611","identity":"rs-7366611","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}