ABSTRACT

Design constraints and considerations for the cathodic protection of buried reinforced concrete foundations are described. Negative potential shift and depolarisation results are described and discussed in relation to the ‘Protection Criteria’ for buried reinforced concrete structures. Adequate protection was achieved at all parts of the structures at an average applied steel current density of 15 mAm−2. Depolarisation rates have been found to be significantly slow and vary from one part of the structure to another relative to the depths below grade level. The ‘100 mV instant-off shift’ criterion is recommended for the performance assessment of CP systems for buried concrete structures.