Evaluation of Remotely Monitored Battery Powered Systems for Cathodic Protection of Reinforced Concrete

This report discusses the performance of a remotely monitored battery power supply system designed to provide cathodic protection to reinforced concrete structures. The modular cathodic protection power supply consists of a conveniently sized battery pack provided with an output control device and electronics that transmits the system condition to a Base Unit. The system uses radio signals to communicate the status to the Base Unit which is connected to a remotely monitored data logger. The system was tested under controlled laboratory conditions and at an actual cathodic protection field site. The field site was a bridge owned and operated by the Florida Department of Transportation in Jacksonville, Florida. Reliability of the radio transmissions between Modular Cathodic Protection System (MCPS) components was evaluated in the laboratory as well as in the field. Communication between the MCPS and a third party data logger was also evaluated. The accuracy of the configured output voltage was checked to ensure proper cathodic protection voltage could be provided to a reinforced concrete structure. The findings indicate that the MCPS has the ability to provide adequate cathodic protection to concrete structure components and can provide information on the status of the cathodic protection system wirelessly. Equipment modifications recommended to enhance the dependability of the system include the use of two-way communication. Improvement of the circuitry efficiency is needed to minimize current drain on the batteries and achieve practical operating periods.

• Record URL:
  http://ftp.fdot.gov/file/d/FTP/FDOT%20LTS/CO/research/Completed_Proj/Summary_SMO/FDOT_BC353_45_rpt.pdf
• 
• Summary URL:
  http://ftp.fdot.gov/file/d/FTP/FDOT%20LTS/CO/research/Completed_Proj/Summary_SMO/FDOT_BC353_45.pdf
• Corporate Authors:

  University of South Florida, Tampa

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 4202 East Fowler Avenue
  Tampa, FL  United States  33620

  Florida Department of Transportation

  605 Suwannee Street
  Tallahassee, FL  United States  32399-0450

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Simmons, R M
  • Lasa, Ivan R
  • Powers, Rodney G
  • Sagues, Alberto A
• Publication Date: 2005-8-16

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 49p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cathodic protection; Concrete structures; Data logging; Electric batteries; Electric power supply; Field tests; Laboratory tests; Monitoring; Radio signals; Reinforced concrete; Reinforced concrete bridges; Remote sensing; Voltage; Wireless communication systems
• Geographic Terms: Jacksonville (Florida)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Energy; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01014834
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: BC353-45
• Contract Numbers: BC353-45
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 19 2005 5:57AM