Azoor, R.M.Deo, RavinBirbilis, NickKodikara, Jayantha2023-03-200010-938Xhttp://hdl.handle.net/1885/287203Corrosion rates in sand, silt, and clay were investigated at various degrees of saturation (Sr) revealing that all three soil types have a distinct optimum Sr at which the corrosion rate is maximised. Sand, silt, and clay showed maximum corrosion currents at Sr ≈0.5, Sr ≈0.7, and Sr ≈0.8 respectively. We show that the optimum moisture level at which the corrosion rate becomes a maximum for a given soil type corresponds to the air transition point related to its water retention curve. We provide an explanation for this phenomenon elucidating previous observations, and highlight implications to current engineering practice.Rukshan Azoor acknowledges the MIPRS and MGS scholarships and the GRITA travel grant provided by Monash University for his PhD studies.application/pdfen-AU© 2019 The authorsLow alloy steelPolarizationUnderground corrosionOxygen reduction201910.1016/j.corsci.2019.1081162022-01-09