AUTOMATED FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS OF CATHODIC PROTECTION (CP) AND ELECTROCHEMICAL CHLORIDE EXTRACTION FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE BRIDGE STRUCTURES IN PENNSYLVANIA

Electrochemical techniques such as Cathodic Protection (CP) and Electrochemical Chloride Extraction (ECE) have been demonstrated to be successful techniques to mitigate corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete. The decision of employing an electrochemical method for corrosion mitigation involves a number of technical considerations as well as cost-benefit issues and perhaps life-cycle cost analysis. In this study, a simple and fast method for preliminary assessment of the compatibility and viability of the technology for a particular bridge structure was developed. A systematic method was developed to evaluate the compatibility and viability of CP or ECE for deck or substructure components of concrete bridges. The method uses only existing data for the evaluated bridge and co-relations for corrosion condition prediction. The method is anticipated to help engineers to screen out those structures that would not be conducive to either CP or ECE and make a preliminary assessment of how well each technology would comply with the candidate structures. The method, AFACE, is a web-oriented, multi-user, interactive computer program. AFACE is the Automated Feasibility Analysis of Cathodic protection or Electrochemical chloride extraction. The program does not incorporate cost-benefit or life-cycle cost analysis; however, it provides current information on the unit cost of each procedure. The AFACE system is perceived as an instructional as well as a simple analysis tool based on currently available information of CP and ECE practices. It is anticipated that users will be able to make educated decisions on electrochemical maintenance options as they become familiar with the system. The system is also perceived as an evolving tool, the predictive capabilities of which can be improved with expanding databases, relevant mathematical modules and improved understanding of the benefits and limits of electrochemical technologies in corrosion mitigation of bridge structures.

• Corporate Authors:

  Pennsylvania State University, University Park

  Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Transportation Research Building
  University Park, PA  United States  16802

  Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

  Office of Research and Special Studies, P.O. Box 2926
  Harrisburg, PA  United States  17120

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Pamukcu, S
  • Yalcin, M G
  • Burleigh, T D
  • Moo-Young, H
• Publication Date: 2001-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 117 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Cathodic protection; Computer programs; Corrosion protection; Decision making; Electrochemical processes; Feasibility analysis; Life cycle costing; Maintenance practices; Reinforced concrete bridges
• Uncontrolled Terms: Electrochemical chloride extraction
• Geographic Terms: Pennsylvania
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Finance; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00814153
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-PA-2001-005+96-31(5), Final Report,, PTI 2001-24
• Contract Numbers: 359631, WO 5
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 25 2001 12:00AM