Computer Simulation Of The InterferenceBetween A Ship’s And A Dock’s CathodicProtection Systems

Abstract

Paint and impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) systems are used to control corrosion on many different types of structures. Since cathodic protection (CP) systems were first applied, engineers have used experience and intensive monitoring to optimise their design to prevent corrosion. Numerical methods and in particular Boundary Elements Methods (BEM) have been widely used in the cathodic protection field to simulate the performance of the CP system and to predict the associated electric and magnetic fields. Special care must be taken when a new structure is commissioned as additional stray currents could alter the performance of existing CP systems. In this work, the influence of the cathodic protection system of a ship on a dock is predicted using computer modelling. The damage that the cathodic protection system of the ship could cause to the structure is highlighted and possible mitigation measures assessed using the optimisation features of the modelling software. The data requirements and practical application of computer modelling is discussed and other possible applications highlighted.