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"SCIENTISTS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DEVELOP VIABLE TECHNOLOGIES TO PRODUCE CONCRETE-LIKE MATERIALS ON THE SURFACE OF MARS, BUT WE NEVER STOPPED TO THINK THAT THE ANSWER MIGHT BE INSIDE US ALL ALONG"

structural steel beams set in concrete allowed them to frame tall buildings that were more fire resistant and more structurally sound than cast iron. Since that time, steel (an alloy made by combining iron and carbon) has not only become the best building material for commercial construction but closely tied to economic health. In fact, many experts look to the steel industry as an indicator of how well the economy is doing [source: Pamuk]. Steel has a long history in the construction industry, but is it still the best material for building?" While no one alternative has become a standard to replace steel, materials like engineered timber and metal composites are becoming more common in new construction projects. "Timber companies tout wood as a durable, renewable resource, and engineered timber is gaining some traction as an alternative to steel. For example, the new arts and media building at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology in New Zealand used engineered wood in place of typical steel and concrete construction, and the company that worked on that building says that it's taking on more and more contracts that would have gone to steel construction companies [source: Nelson Mail]."

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-disasters-caused-corrosion-samuel-cowlishaw/ Surfside condominium collapses- June 2021: The main contributing factor under investigation is long-term degradation of reinforced concrete structural support in the ground-level parking garage under the housing units. Genoa, Italy Bridge Collapse- August 2018: The bridge was only 51 years old and the steel cables supporting the bridge failed likely due to damage from corrosion. Fall of Railway Traffic Lights- November 2014: A train traveling through England struck the railway traffic lights near an intersection. The post holding the lights fell due to corrosion and then struck by an oncoming train. Sinking of the Erika - December 1999: The Maltese taker broke into two while traveling near the coast of Britany France. Nearly 20,000 tons of oil were spilled. Multiple parts of the ship that had failed were compromised by corrosion. Bhopal, India Incident-December 1984: Corrosion caused toxic gas from a pesticide plant to leak into the atmosphere. More than 500,000 were exposed to the gas and official numbers says the tragedy caused 2,259 fatal victims. Unofficial sources say the number can be close to 8,000 fatal victms. Balcony Collapse at University of Virginia- May 1997: A balcony collapsed during the spring commencement ceremony. Rust had eaten way at the metal rods inside the balcony, which failed under the wight of the attendees. An engineering firm hired by the university said the collapse likely was caused by the failure of one of the four hangar rods that suspended the balcony.

"Formation of a surface layer, whether it is based on an oxide, carbonate, sulfate, or any other compound, is a major factor in corrosion resistance, particularly if the layer effectively isolates the metal substratum from the environment. Such a naturally formed coating must be diffusion- and moisture-resistant to be effective. Ordinary iron does not naturally form an effective barrier; its rust permits oxygen and moisture to penetrate and continue rusting. Thus, unless precautions are taken, such as applying a protective coating over the surface, failure will eventually occur."

"The aim of this paper is to describe the factors within a tunnel environment that may contribute toward a corrosive atmosphere, and considering these, to determine the corrosivity of the atmosphere throughout a tunnel environment and present methods to mitigate against corrosive damage."