Cathodic Protection in Reinforced Concrete Elements, using Carbon Fibers Base Composites

A carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite was used as external reinforcement and as a cathodic protection (CP) system of steel in concrete elements. Different epoxy resins were tested by varying the amount and length of the carbon fibers used. The CFRP composites were glued to the concrete prisms using such selected conductive resins, then electrically connected with one of the rebars and used as impressed current anodes. A electrical current was applied between the CFRP composite (anode) and the rebar (cathode) at different current densities (50, 100, and 1000 mA/m2). The results obtained have demonstrated that the CFRP external reinforcement used in this investigation can also work as an anode in a cathodic protection system (CP). No mechanical adverse effect was found on the composite and the epoxy resin selected, although the current densities applied were greater than those used in real structures.