coal vs. steel

huangyhg

coal vs. steel
i'm looking at a coal processing facility that is having some structural problems.  the building column bases are surrounded by coal debris.  will the coal breakdown the steel?..the steel is anywhere from 50 to 100 years old and is heavily coroded.  the coal debris retains water so i'm sure that the water has alot to do with it.  i was wondering if the coal itself was contributing to the section loss.
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depends on the coal.  coal can have a lot of impurities, such as sulfer, which in the presence of water will attack the steel.  if the debris is dust, it may just be the medium that retains water and blocks free ventilation enough to establish oxygen deficient corrosion cells that attack the steel.
blacksmith
if you identify the need of repair, you may -if so proves good solution- concrete around with special concrete and maybe sacrificial surfacing.
acid attack is feasible and will be effected through standing water. it may affect also to concrete and its reinforcement.