Assessing the long term benefits of Impressed Current Cathodic Protection

This experimental field study interrupted the protection current offered by Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) to ten in-service reinforced concrete structures. The study aimed to identify the longterm effects of ICCP after it was recognised that some of the systems are now reaching the end of their design life and require a significant level of maintenance. It was found that after five or more years of ICCP, the steel remained passive for at least 24 months after interrupting the protection current despite chloride contamination that would represent a corrosion risk.