Prestressed concrete--Corrosion

Experiments and analyses were performed to better define the limits of concern regarding hydrogen embrittlement in association with application of cathodic protection to prestressed concrete. To accomplish this, prestressed concrete specimens were locally corroded to different levels by anodic polarization and then polarized to -1.30 V SCE. A procedure of examination was developed using strain gauges to determine the level of prestrain. Relatively few brittle failures of wires resulted due, at least in part, to a relatively low prestrain of the pretensioned tendons. A model was developed which, coupled with data from parallel research, permitted definition of the minimum cross section for brittle failure as a function of the magnitude of prestrain and corrosion morphology of the wire. These results were tabulated in a format that can be used during field inspection to identify structural elements for which fracture could occur upon application of cathodic protection.

Experiments were conducted to determine the effectiveness of cathodic polarization on simulated concrete piles containing unstressed continuous and segmented tendons exposed to sea water. Conductive rubber was used as anode material. Corrosion of the steel was enhanced by admixturing calcium chloride during concrete pouring. The specimens were cathodically polarized at constant potentials ranging from -0.72 to -1.10 V(sce). Current on and instant off potentials were monitored along the specimen height at different water levels. The four hour potential decay criterion was used to determine if cathodic polarization was effective. Protection was achieved at locations where instant-off potentials were more negative than -0.79 V(sce). Polarization was never obtained above the anode. Also, the possibility of protecting a structure containing discontinuous steel was investigated. The results are discussed within the context of protecting actual marine pilings from corrosion.