Cathodic protection of new and old reinforced concrete structures

Current and potential distributions measured on concrete slabs and simulated by computer modelling are discussed in relation with the application of cathodic protection to new reinforced structures as a corrosion preventive method. The results show high penetration of cathodic protection over the depth of uncontaminated concrete, so that even a rebar relatively distant from the anode can be polarized, whereas the penetration is limited to the rebars near to the anode in chloride contaminated slabs with corroding rebars. The great throwing power and the wide range of protection potentials for uncorroding concrete structure enable safe application of the cathodic protection even to new prestressed structures.