Cathodic protection of reinforcing steel in concrete - present state of technology, scope of application and standard requirements

Reinforcing steel in concrete is not subjected to corrosion until a change in physicochemical properties occurs of concrete under the influence of aggressive agents carbon dioxide and chloride ions, which with time penetrate inside the reinforced concrete structure. Concrete, especially moist concrete, is a good electric current conductor and hence steel can be protected against corrosion with the use of cathodic protection. The paper describes the basis of reinforced concrete cathodic protection, applied sub-assemblies and protection installation elements, as well as typical technical applications of this technology. European standard requirements also have been described, connected with this anticorrosion protection method.