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Discrete galvanic anodes installed around concrete Discrete galvanic anodes are installed along the
repair to provide protection from halo effect corrosion edge of the concrete patch repair
a battery, the more anodic metal naturally corrodes What is the severity of corrosion?
relative to the more noble metal. In reinforced Is the corrosion localized or widespread?
concrete, galvanic anodes provide sacrificial How much concrete damage exists?
protection to the reinforcing steel, do not require How accessible is the structure now and in the
external power, and generally are not adjusted future?
in the field. Galvanic systems are used to provide What level of monitoring and maintenance is
low-maintenance protection that can be econom acceptable and likely to be completed?
ically tailored to protect large and small sections of Will the structure be strengthened externally or
the structure. have external coatings or membranes applied?
Anodes used in a galvanic protection system What is the cost of future repairs and/or structure
can be surface applied or embedded into the replacement including indirect costs such as
concrete structure or a new overlay. For embedded traffic disruption and user costs?
systems, zinc is the most common sacrificial anode Is the budget available for a comprehensive
used today. When compared with metals such as approach?
aluminum and magnesium, zinc exhibits a rela
tively small corrosion expansion that can be easily Global Versus Targeted Protection
managed through mortar shell formulation or by In some cases, a global protection strategy using
providing sufficient porosity and reinforcement electrochemical chloride extraction, impressed
within the anode unit. Embedded zinc anodes are current cathodic protection, or galvanic protection is
suitable for use with conventionally reinforced, a preferred solution. Global protection should be
prestressed, and post-tensioned concrete. considered if: 1) a long service life is desired;
When galvanic anodes are embedded into 2) corrosion activity is widespread; 3) the structure
concrete, it is important to prevent a buildup of is considered to be critical in nature; 4) access is
oxides on the anode surface that will significantly difficult and/or cost of future repairs are high; or 5) a
restrict the performance of the anode. To combat high level of protection is required over large areas.
this, an embedded anode unit will contain a In other cases, corrosion is not widespread or
chemical activator that generates a soluble corrosion budget limitations prevent a more comprehensive
by-product. Embedded anodes will either be alkali- approach from being implemented. In these cases,
activated in the pH 14 to pH 14.5+ range, or implementing a targeted corrosion mitigation
halide-activated, whereby salts such as chloride or approach is generally preferred rather than not
bromide are used. Because halides are corrosive to providing any protection whatsoever. Targeted
zinc and steel, halide-activated anodes should be corrosion protection can be economically
installed such that the halide activator is a minimum implemented to provide an extension of service life
of 2 in. (50 mm) away from any reinforcement to at a moderate incremental cost and reduce the risk
minimize the risk of future corrosion. of serious corrosion damage.
reinforcement is provided by placing reinforcing and extended service life. Examples of these
steel or noncorrosive fiberglass reinforcement over applications are concrete repairs, expansion joint
the anodes, then the concrete is placed such that the repairs, bridge widening, and galvanic encasement
repairs and jacket or overlay are completed in a using concrete jackets and overlays.
single step.
More recently, embedded galvanic anodes in
ribbon form have been used to provide targeted J. Christopher Ball is Vice
protection to expansion joint repairs, deck widening President, Sales and Marketing,
projects, and concrete repairs. Using distributed of Vector Corrosion Technologies
anodes in these types of applications allow the Inc., Tampa, FL. Ball has over
engineer to provide a consistent line of protection 15 years of construction industry
along the new/old concrete interface using anodes experience, with a specialty
with greater surface area and zinc mass. With in concrete rehabilitation and
heavily reinforced structures, distributed anodes corrosion protection systems. He
may be more economical than discrete anodes at a previously held the positions of Senior Market
tight spacing. Development Manager and Concrete Repair
Product Manager for Master Builders Inc., and
summary Concrete Repair Product Manager for Fosroc Inc.
A range of systems are available for electro Ball is a member of ICRI, the American Concrete
chemical corrosion mitigation, including electro- Institute, and the National Association of Corrosion
chemical treatments, impressed current cathodic Engineers (NACE).
protection, and galvanic protection. Galvanic
systems provide protection using dissimilar metals David W. Whitmore, PEng, is
and operate naturally without the need for an President of Vector Corrosion
external power source. Embedded zinc anodes are Technologies, Inc., and is actively
activated to enhance their performance and are involved with ICRI, the National
provided in a range of shapes and sizes that provide Association of Corrosion Engineers
flexibility in design and application. (NACE), and the American Concrete
Galvanic systems can be used for global or Institute, where he is involved in
targeted corrosion protection. Many structures can committees that focus on the
benefit from a corrosion management strategy that development of specifications and standards for the
uses galvanic anodes to provide targeted protection rehabilitation and protection of concrete structures.