Cathodic polarization response of simulated prestressed concrete piles exposed to natural sea water

Experiments were conducted to determine the effectiveness of localized cathodic polarization for reducing corrosion of simulated prestressed concrete piles containing admixed calcium chloride and exposed to a simulated sea water tidal cycle. The specimens contained both continuous and segmented steel tendons, the purpose of the latter being to facilitate measurement of cathodic protection current. Conductive rubber in an impressed current system was used as the anode material. The specimens were initially freely corroded and then cathodically polarized at a constant current ranging from 0.5 to 1 mA/m$\sp2$ which corresponded to potentials (current-on) which ranged from $-$0.500 to $-$1.100 V(sce) in the anode region. The magnitude of impressed current and its distribution along the embedded steel was monitored as a function of exposure time, level of polarization and water levels. Current-on and instant-off potential distribution for both the continuous and segmented tendons were also measured. The level of cathodic polarization was assessed as a function of position along the specimens by the depolarization method. The results were evaluated within the context of marine bridge substructure cathodic protection technology.