The impact of electric current on the bond strength between the steel reinforcement and concrete is considered to be a very important subject and researchers have studied it for several years. From a practical point of view, there are no notes for any impact of the cathodic protection on the bond strength. There are some structures that have been studied for about 20 years, and there has been little impact on the bond strength, as most bond strength is carried out by the ribs that exist in the deformed steel reinforcement.
When using cathode protection, no other protection method, such as membranes, additives, or painting, is needed. This reduces the total cost of the project and eliminates the cost of a deteriorating concrete structure or some of its members. The cost of repairing the concrete member may actually be higher than the cost of constructing it.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Types of Protection
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TABLE 9.3
Source: K. Kendell, and F. S. Daily. 1999. Concrete International Magazine 21(6). |
In some structures, because of the special nature of their construction, you will find it difficult to make necessary repairs, so cathode protection is the best and only solution. In Table 9.3, you will find a summary of the methods of protection prepared by Keven in 1999, which gives the advantages and disadvantages of each method and the appropriateness of use with the cathode protection at the same time.