CATHODIC PROTECTION: COORDINATING CORROSION TO SAVE STATE STRUCTURES

Research Project 7-2945, Performance Evaluation of Cathodic Protection Systems for Queen Isabella PR 100, evaluated the potential for use of cathodic protection for corrosion protection of the splash zone area elements in the substructure of the Queen Isabella Causeway (QIC) connecting Port Isabel, Texas, with South Padre Island, Texas. The splash zone is the area immediately above the water line where the elements go through routine wetting and drying cycles. The elements in that area that were protected by cathodic protection systems (CPSs) included footings and tie beams. Findings of the research indicated that durability of the systems was challenged much more by the harsh marine environment than by the normally anticipated electrical consumption of the anode systems. In addition, the researchers encountered many problems trying to maintain the impressed current systems and would not recommend this approach in the future.