Abstract
In order to establish the reliable cathodic protection system to prestressed concrete structures, this paper discussed hydrogen embrittlement of prestressing steel. Specimens used were 5mm-diameter prestressing wires and 9.3mm-diameter, 7-wire prestressing strands in concrete exposed to marine environment and hydrogen generation condition for 5.5 years. And then susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement was performed with slow strain tensile test (SSRT).
As a result of SSRT and hydrogen thermal analysis, the influences of catholic polarization potential, environment around prestressing steel, stress and exposure period to hydrogen evolution condition were made clear. In addition, possibility of recovery of hydrogen embrittlement was also discussed.
