TP19-09: Extending the Service-Life of Reinforced Concrete Structures by Means of Cathodic-Protection

Reinforced concrete structures are designed and built to function for a certain period of time with as little maintenance as possible. In benign environments and when use is as intended, this most likely can be the case. The structure achieves its service-life with little-to-no major repairs needed. However, as structures age and deteriorate we are faced with the need of extending their service life beyond their original design lifespan by repairing them rather than replacing them. This is especially true for high value assets and assets that cannot be taken out of service easily. The more aggressive the environment, the more likely the need for repair as the service-life of these assets is stretched. Unfortunately, whether it is budget constraints or the lack of understanding their repair options, owners of infrastructure often take a short-term repair approach versus a longer-term repair and protection approach.

The decision as to what type of repair to perform might seem straightforward and obvious, but this is not always the case. Significant resources are required to detail the design and execution of the repair. In addition, questions such as “What needs to be repaired?”, “How extensive is the repair?” “How will the repair impact operations?”, and “What is the best use of the available budget for extending the life of the structure?” must all be considered and answered as clearly as possible.