The Open Corrosion Journal

2011, 4 : 34-39
Published online 2011 November 04. DOI: 10.2174/1876503301104010034
Publisher ID: TOCORRJ-4-34

Analysis of Stray Current Induced by Cathodic Protection on Steel- Framed Masonry Structures

Y-Y. Wu , P. Lambert , P. Mangat and F. J. O'Flaherty
Mott MacDonald, Spring Bank House, Altrincham, WA14 1ES, UK.

ABSTRACT

Cathodic protection (CP) has been successfully employed to protect steel-framed masonry buildings from corrosion related damage. When a CP system is installed to protect the structural members, other metallic items which are within the fabric of the structure but are not in direct electrical continuity may suffer from stray current interactions, resulting in accelerated corrosion of the discontinuous items. Therefore, these must be considered when CP systems are designed prior to installation.

This paper presents both experimental and numerical studies into the risk and extent of stray current corrosion in steelframed masonry structures when subject to impressed current cathodic protection. The objective is to allow CP systems to be optimised so that interference is minimised without compromising the technical or cost benefits of this method of corrosion control.

Keywords:

Corrosion, steel frame, cathodic protection, impressed current, stray current, numerical modelling.