Title:
Impressed Current Cathodic Protection with Near-Surface Mounted Ti Retrofit Bars
Author(s):
Amanda K. Slawinski, Christopher Higgins, O. Burkan Isgor
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
cathodic protection; corrosion; reinforcement; reinforcing bar; retrofit; steel; titanium
DOI:
10.14359/51745598
Date:
1/22/2025
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 proof-of-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 rebars, and the 100-mV potential shift (decay) criterion following shut-off 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.