Cathodic protection of concrete structures

Resumo

Protection techniques against corrosion of concrete Protection techniques against corrosion for concrete structures are required when there is concern about the possibility of corrosion of steel reinforcement. Among the techniques available as corrosion protection techniques, cathodic protection is outstanding for both preventing premature corrosion as well as reducing an ongoing corrosion process. Abroad, the cathodic protection technique has been applied to several types of concrete structures, especially those subject to corrosion attack by chloride ions. In Brazil, this technique is hardly used regarding concrete structures which is partially due to the lack of knowledge of cathodic protection techniques and the lack of commercially available systems for application for concrete structures (reinforced or prestressed). The objective of this paper is to present the principle of cathodic protection both for new concrete structures as well as for those in the process of steel reinforcement corrosion. Cathodic protection methods with impressed current and with sacrificial anodes are discussed. A case study with the use of impressed current cathodic protection is also presented.