Details:

Creators:
Bennett, J. E. ; Schue, T. J.
Bennett, J. E. ; Schue, T. J. Less -
Corporate Creators:
ELTECH Research Corporation
Contributors:
Virmani, Paul Y.
Corporate Contributors:
United States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Engineering
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Cathodic Protection Corrosion Sacrificial Anodes
Publication/ Report Number:
FHWA-RD-96-073
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:
United States
Corporate Publisher:
United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
Abstract:
This is the interim report in a study to investigate the feasibility of using galvanic cathodic protection (CP) of reinforced concrete bridge members using sacrificial anodes attached by conductive adhesives. Galvanic CP systems have recognized advantages of simplicity and the potential to operate with little or no maintenance for the life of the system. But galvanic systems have been used relatively little. Applications have so far been limited to the seawater splash and tidal zone where concrete is moist and most conductive, and where the anode surface is periodically wetted. In this study, a new galvanic CP system is being investigated in which sacrificial anodes are attached to the concrete surface with ionically conductive adhesives called hydrogels. Laboratory studies first demonstrated that aluminum alloys were unsuitable as anodes in contact with hydrogel adhesives. Aluminum and its alloys exhibited either unstable passive behavior or low anode working potential. Zinc was then selected as the sacrificial anode for installation on field validation trials. Commercially available hydrogel adhesives also proved to be unsatisfactory for CP systems, but further study resulted in the development of a hydrogel with adequate performance and life expectancies. About 1000 sq ft (100 sq m) of zinc/hydrogel composite was installed on the pilings, pile caps, and double-tee beams of a fishing pier in Ft. Pierce, Florida. The system was relatively easy to install, and performance over the first 4 months of operation has been good. Additional field trials on the Long Key Bridge in Florida and other structures are planned. Field trials will be monitored for 2 1/2 years, and the performance of the systems will be evaluated.
Format:
PDF
Funding:
DTFH61-92-C-00051
Collection(s):
Federal Highway Administration
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:e60707e3146872bbbcb3ebf5f88cede6f6466988961bec01c7a68821b781513f
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/68188/dot_68188_DS1.pdf
File Type:

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