Effectiveness of the Cathodic Protection of Steel in Concrete Using the Galvanized Anode System

Abstract

The galvanized anode system, which is often used for the cathodic protection of aluminum panels, was applied to reinforced concrete specimens of variable chloride concentration. The primary objectives of this study are the specification of the variation factor on a polarizing current and the evaluation of the steel’s corrosion rate for the natural (open-circuit) corrosion and cathodic protection conditions. As a result, the polarizing current decreased as the cathodic polarization resistance and concrete resistance increased. Despite the variable chloride concentration in concrete, the corrosion rate of the natural corrosion condition was reduced compared with that of the early period. The corrosion rate of steel under cathodic protection was assumed to be equivalent to the passive current density.