SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION OF CATHODIC PROTECTION TO A CONCRETE BRIDGE DECK

The effectiveness of the cathodic protection treatment of an Ontario concrete bridge deck after three years of service is evaluated. The Duffins Creek bridge was the first Ontario deck to be repaired and treated with cathodic protection. Half of the deck was treated, and the other half was left untreated. Corrosometer probes were placed in the treated half of the deck. These probes showed that cathodic protection was preventing further corrosion. After three years, the deck was stripped and the protected and unprotected sides were compared. It was found that the treated side had much less corrosion than the untreated side. It also become apparent that corrosion had occurred below the rebars, where the epoxy injection technique had been used for repairs. The most current Ontario system of cathodic protection has now been applied to the entire deck. (Author)