ABSTRACT
Cathodic protection (CP) has been applied successfully to stop corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete structures across the world for about 25 years. However, the number of cases where CP has been applied is low compared to the huge potential market of corroding structures. This is at least partially due to CP being an “unknown” technology for most users and to economical aspects. Generally, CP is a significant investment with a relatively long working life, improving safety and serviceability and saving large amounts of money in the mid to long term. CP may be “too big a step” for many owners. Consequently, CP is still a “promising” technique, despite its long track record. One way to improve the situation would be to make more economical CP system designs. This calls for innovations, e.g. using numerical modelling in the design stage, which allows making a “smart” design that is as slender as possible in terms of materials used, with reliable spatial distribution of protection. European research project ARCHES work package 3 aims at innovating CP design, to demonstrate the potential benefits of and to lower existing barriers for applying CP, in particular to bridges. It involves numerical modelling, installing smart CP systems to typical bridges in EU New Member States, validating the modelling based on field measurements and finally publishing a Guideline. A trial CP system was realised in Slovenia in July 2008, whose preliminary
results are incorporated in this paper. Previous numerical modelling has proven its principle, but unrealistic results were obtained. In particular time-dependent (beneficial) CP effects need to be considered. This paper presents a possible approach to that issue and compares preliminary results from the ARCHES trial with model calculations.
