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Received: March 30, 2024; Revised: May 01, 2024; Accepted: May 02, 2024
Abstract: A zinc mesh sacrificial anode cathodic protection method is recently being developed to protect the reinforced concrete structure in a marine environment. However, comprehensive information regarding the cathodic protection technology applied to reinforced concrete test specimens utilizing zinc mesh sacrificial anodes remains limited. Particularly, no research has investigated the effective range of sacrificial anode cathodic protection in a reinforced concrete structure regarding the transmission of protection current from zinc mesh sacrificial anode to the reinforced concrete structure, particularly concerning effects of temperature variations. This study examined the distribution of potential and current using a long single rebar and several segment reinforcing bars inside a horizontal beam. Vertical pile specimens were applied with a zinc mesh sacrificial anode to simulate concrete bridges or harbor structures. To check the effect of cathodic protection, cathodic protection potential and current of the reinforced concrete specimens were measured and 100 mV depolarization criterion test was performed. It was confirmed that effect of cathodic protection varied depending on resistivity and temperature. The cathodic protection test of pile specimens revealed that the maximum reachable range of cathodic protection current was 10 cm from the waterline as observed in the experiment.