Efficiency of the Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) in reinforced concretes: Experimental and numerical investigation

Abstract

In the present work, the efficiency of the Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) applied to reinforced concretes is investigated. A comprehensive approach, combining experimental and numerical methodologies, is employed. The investigation focuses on a simplified system, represented by a reinforced concrete slab subjected to accelerated corrosion.Experimental tests are conducted to evaluate the initial condition of the system and subsequently examine different ICCP scenarios. Various parameters are considered, including the spatial arrangement of reference electrodes and activated titanium anodes, as well as the applied current intensity. The outcomes of these experiments are carefully analyzed to assess the influence of these parameters, and the results are presented for in-depth discussion.Finally, a theoretical model based on electrochemical interactions between the steel and the concrete is developed thanks to virtual work principle. Applied to the system under study, the predictions of the model are shown to give satisfactory results when compared to experimental data, demonstrating its reliability.