Analysis of stray current induced by cathodic protection on steel-framed masonry structures

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 steel-framed 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.