Final answer:
Corrosion is the degradation of metals caused by an electrochemical process. Deferred maintenance, or the delay of necessary repairs, is a major contributing factor to the wear and tear of physical structures. The Silver Bridge collapse is a tragic example of the consequences of deferred maintenance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Corrosion is the degradation of metals by a naturally occurring electrochemical process. It often leads to the wear and tear or breakdown of a physical structure over time. This can be a major problem in engineering, as it can compromise the safety and reliability of structures.
A major contributing factor to the wear and tear of a physical structure is deferred maintenance. Deferred maintenance refers to the delay or postponement of necessary repairs or maintenance tasks. When regular maintenance is deferred, small issues can turn into bigger problems over time, leading to structural deterioration and increased likelihood of breakdown.
For example, the Silver Bridge collapse on US Interstate 35 was caused by corrosion of a suspension chain that was not properly maintained. This tragedy resulted in the loss of 46 lives and highlights the importance of addressing deferred maintenance to prevent catastrophic failures.