IMPROVING EFFICIENCY IN THE GALVANIC CATHODIC PROTECTION OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES

The problem of corrosion in reinforced concrete is well-known worldwide. One way to protect the concrete reinforcement is by using a cathodic protection, which is currently recognized as the only rehabilitation technique that has proven to stop the corrosion in salt contaminated bridge decks regardless of the chloride contained in concrete [1]. Galvanic current delivered to reinforced concrete through a metallized zinc anode was studied in relation to the humidity of its environment and the periodic direct application of LiBr as a humectant. The use of humectants to improve the thermal-sprayed zinc anode performance during the cathodic protection (CP) of reinforced concrete was examined. A humectant is a substance that promotes the moisture retention. The humectant is applied onto the zinc surface to keep the concrete-anode interface moist so that it can work as a good conductor. Researches have shown that the moisture in the zinc-concrete interface increases the current for the galvanic cathodic protection systems. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and conventional electrochemical properties such as E_Fe/zn, ΔE, P_protection of the anode were routinely measured. The results indicate that the application of humectants onto existing PC systems would be beneficial.

• INTRODUCTION

• EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT

• RESULTS

• DISCUSSION

• CONCLUSIONS

• REFERENCES