Impressed current cathodic protection of chloride-contaminated RC structures with cracking: A numerical study

Bingbing Guo, Guofu Qiao, Zhenming Li*, Dongsheng Li, Jinghui Dai, Yan Wang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)
36 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) is an effective and direct method for controlling the corrosion of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. However, few investigations related to ICCP in cracked RC structures have been reported. In this study, the effect of cracks in concrete cover on ICCP of chloride-contaminated RC structures was investigated through a numerical model including steel polarisation, electrode reactions, and ionic migration. In the developed numerical model, cracked concrete cover is assumed to consist of sound concrete and cracks, and cracks have their own ionic diffusion coefficients. The results indicate that the ICCP can maintain its ability to remove Cl if concrete cover does not completely crack. Once the complete cracking in concrete cover occurs, the Cl removal ability of ICCP would decrease or even disappear. Cracking does not cause any adverse effect on the pH improvement of ICCP. In this case, a stronger cathodic polarisation is recommended.

Original languageEnglish
Article number102943
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Building Engineering
Volume44
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • Cracks
  • Impressed current cathodic protection
  • Numerical modelling
  • Reinforced concrete structures
  • Steel corrosion

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