Cathodic protection design support for reinforced concrete

Cathodic protection (CP) stops corrosion of steel in concrete by making the reinforcement the cathode of an electrochemical cell. It is one of the few approaches that deals with chloride-contaminated concrete without removing all of it. ABTS prepares CP layouts with your engineer of record, checks the installation and monitors the system once it is running.

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Galvanic and impressed current
Installation QA and commissioning
Scheduled monitoring

Galvanic or impressed current

Galvanic (sacrificial) anodes. Zinc anodes connected to the rebar, embedded in patch repairs or installed in drilled holes. They need no power supply and are common on balconies, slab edges and pool shells.
Impressed current CP (ICCP). A small DC power supply drives protective current through long-life anodes, for example mixed metal oxide. Used on larger or heavily contaminated structures such as garages and pool shells with widespread corrosion.

The right choice depends on the chloride levels, the area at risk, the target service life and who will maintain the system. That is why CP design starts from a corrosion condition assessment.

What design support includes

Review of the corrosion data and continuity results
Zoning of the structure, anode type, spacing and layout
Wiring, junction boxes and test station locations
Drawings and specifications prepared for review and sealing by your engineer of record

Installation QA, commissioning and monitoring

During installation we check continuity, anode connections and wiring before the concrete covers them. At start-up we record baseline potentials and run depolarization testing. The 100 mV depolarization criterion in AMPP SP0290 and ISO 12696 is the usual measure of whether the steel is protected. Scheduled monitoring after that keeps the system adjusted and documented.

When cathodic protection makes sense

High chlorides at the steel, but limited damage so far
Patch repairs that keep failing next to the previous patch
Structures where removing all contaminated concrete is impractical or structurally risky
Owners who want a long service life from the repair, such as pool shells and balcony stacks

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How long does cathodic protection last?

It depends on the system type and design. Galvanic anodes are consumed over time and are sized for a target life; impressed current anodes can last much longer with a maintained power supply. The design states the expected service life.

Does an impressed current system need maintenance?

Yes. The power supply and monitoring readings should be checked on a regular schedule so the system keeps delivering the right current. We set up that monitoring and can carry it out.

Can cathodic protection be added to a repair project already in design?

Often, yes. Galvanic anodes are commonly added to patch repairs, and the best time to plan any CP system is before the repair drawings are final.

Plan the repair on measured data

One site visit, then a fixed proposal. Testing across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, the rest of Florida and the New York Tri-State Area.

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