What is the best method to repair concrete floors with reinforcement corrosion?
The most common approach for repairing reinforced concrete structures involves the removal of the cracked, delaminated and spalled concrete and its replacement with new concrete or polymer modified mortar. While this process addresses the immediate serviceability requirements, it may provide a long term repair solution if the initial corrosion problem is due to low concrete cover associated with concrete carbonation. However, if the corrosion is due to chloride contamination of the concrete, it is very likely that a premature failure of the repair may occur with corrosion initiated in the adjacent repaired areas due to incipient anode effect. The incipient anode is caused by electrochemical incompatibility between the reinforcing steel within the patch area and the steel embedded within the surrounding concrete.
Galvanic anode technology has been developed to provide galvanic corrosion protection and to combat the underlying corrosion by supplying a small electrical current to the reinforcing steel. Galvanic systems are desirable because they create their protective current internally through a natural reaction where the anode corrodes to galvanically protect the steel.
While there are many situations where galvanic anodes can provide the most economical and practical solution to improve the corrosion resistance of reinforcement, it is acknowledged that there are limitations about their long-term corrosion protection and effectiveness especially in marine environments with high corrosion activity and high levels of chloride contamination.
At Remedial Technology we have the knowledge and experience to carry out the design of galvanic corrosion systems and perform a proper assessment in relation to anode type selection based on the specific requirements of each particular application.
Our services include:
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Design of galvanic anode systems
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Specification preparation
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Trial application
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Installation supervision