Recent corrosion related failures of grouted post tensioned tendons, even after the introduction of improved grouts, have led to renewed interest in supplemental or backup means of corrosion control for these systems. A finite element model is presented to explore feasibility of impressed current protection of strand in grouted tendons. The model examines polarization evolution as function of service time and includes consideration of anode placement and size, grout porosity, pore water alkalinity, electrochemical species diffusivity and applied voltage on the polarization efficacy and durability of such a system. The exploratory model projections suggested that, within the context of the design parameters assumed, an impressed current cathodic protection system installed internally into a grouted duct for the purpose of cathodic protection of steel tensioning strand may be feasible for the case of initially passive steel.

Subject
Cathodes, Water, Hydroxides, Cathodic protection, Calcium, Grout, Pores, Current densities, Electrical resistivity, Anodic current, Steel, Polarization, Anodes
Keywords:
COMSOL Multiphysics, Impressed Current Cathodic Protection, Post-Tensioning Strands, FDOT
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2016
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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