Title:
Impressed Current Cathodic Protection with Near-Surface- Mounted Titanium Retrofit Bars
Author(s):
Amanda K. Slawinski, Christopher Higgins, and O. Burkan Isgor
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
122
Issue:
2
Appears on pages(s):
43-58
Keywords:
cathodic protection; corrosion; reinforcement; reinforcing bar; retrofit; steel; titanium
DOI:
10.14359/51745598
Date:
3/1/2025
Abstract:
Titanium alloy bars (TiABs) have recently been accepted as a structural material for near-surface-mounted retrofit (NSMR) of reinforced concrete structural elements. This paper shows that TiABs
in NSMR applications can be used simultaneously as anodes in
impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) to prevent corrosion
of the existing reinforcement. Following a successful proofof-
concept study performed for small-scale prisms, dual-purpose
TiABs were used as longitudinal and shear reinforcements to
retrofit large-size structural beams. Prior to structural tests, the
specimens were investigated to characterize the TiAB functionality
within the ICCP system. During ICCP, cathodic potentials were
in the expected linear region of the cathodic polarization curve of
the steel reinforcing bars, and the 100 mV potential shift (decay)
criterion following shutoff was satisfied upon the interruption of
the protection current. The applied current and potential to achieve
the required cathodic potentials were stable and were satisfactorily
maintained while achieving the structural retrofit requirements.