Experiments were performed upon a single tendon in a prestressed concrete slab for the purpose of assessing the susceptibility of the high strength steel to brittle fracture as a result of cathodic protection. The procedure involved initially impressing an anodic current until active potentials were recorded along the tendon length. Subsequently, cathodic polarization of the midsection of the tendon to -1.30v. SCE (-1.37v. (CSE)) was established. After a prescribed time the tendon was removed and sectioned into 15 cm lengths. Each segment strand was then notched and strained to failure in three-point bending to determine any effect of cathodic protection on the mechanical properties of the material. Differences in average failure loads were compared to determine if a loss of load-bearing capacity and enhanced brittle fracture tendency occurred due to hydrogen absorption.

Subject
Electric current, Water, Cathodic protection, Tendons, Slabs, Bending, Mechanical failure, Anodic current, Steel, Prestressing steel, Polarization, Fracture, Concrete
© 1987 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1987
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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