Trial Application of Electrochemical Chloride Extraction on Concrete BridgeComponents in Virginia

摘要

Electrochemical chloride extraction is a new technique for mitigating chloride-induced corrosion of the reinforcing bars in concrete bridges. To demonstrate the feasibility of applying this technique on full-sized concrete bridge members and to identify needed improvements to the technology, the technique was tried on two concrete deck spans and three concrete piers in Virginia. For the two deck spans, an anode system consisting of felt-sandwiched catalyzed titanium mesh kept wet by an electrolyte was used. An electrical charge of 741 to 1077 A-hr/sq m was applied between the anode and the steel bar for 57 or 58 days. Approximately 72 to 82 percent of the chloride ions was removed from the concrete at the depth of the first mat of steel bars.