Performance of anodes in cathodic protection of reinforcing steel in concrete

Experiments were conducted on a simulated reinforced concrete bridge deck to test different anodes as part of a cathodic protection system. Both carbon based and titanium based anodes were tested. All the anodes were driven at predetermined current densities. Current off polarized potentials of steel and anode were monitored over six months. After this period, cores were extracted from slabs containing a part of anode and steel and then broken at the anode-concrete and steel-concrete interface to measure the pH at these interfaces. Differences in the pH values at the anode-concrete interface were compared to determine the performance of the different anodes. Carbon based anodes operated at a higher potential and produced anode corrosion products of lower pH when compared to titanium based anodes.