Cathode Protection Method for Reinforced Concrete Structure and Apparatus Therefor

Abstract

A cathode protection method for reinforced concrete structure includes steps of: a. removing loose concrete within a protection area, and filling adhesive materials with conductive ability into cracks of a concrete; b. implanting CFRP member as a impressed current auxiliary anode material into the concrete, and spacedly arranged the CFRP member with steel reinforcing elements within the concrete; c. coating adhesive materials on a side of the CFRP member, and firmly pressing the adhesive materials to bonding the CFRP member and the concrete with each other; and d. electrically connecting the steel reinforcing elements and the CFRP member to a negative electrode and a positive electrode of an external DC power supply respectively, such that the concrete, the steel reinforcing element, the CFRP member, and the external DC power supply generate serially-close conductive circuit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cathode protection method for reinforced concrete structure, comprising steps of:
 A. removing loose concrete within a protection area, and filling an adhesive material with conductive ability into cracks of a concrete;   B. implanting a CFRP member as an impressed current auxiliary anode material into said concrete, and spacedly arranged said CFRP member with steel reinforcing elements within said concrete;   C. coating said adhesive material on a surface of said CFRP member facing towards said steel reinforcing element, and firmly pressing said adhesive material to adhere said CFRP member and said concrete with each other; and   D. connecting said CFRP member with a positive electrode of an external DC power supply and connecting at least a steel reinforcing element in said reinforced concrete body with a negative electrode of said external DC power supply, wherein said steel reinforcing element and said adhesive material are electrically connected via said concrete, said CFRP member and said external DC power supply to form a close electrical conductive circuit.   
     
     
         2 . The method, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein in the step (D) further comprising a step of serially-linking with a control device for controlling the strength of the current in said close electrical conductive circuit, and an investigation device for testing the corrosion condition of said steel reinforcing elements. 
     
     
         3 . The method, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein in the step (B) further comprises a steps of electrically connecting said steel reinforcing elements in said protection area and ensuring an electrical conductivity between said steel reinforcing elements. 
     
     
         4 . The method, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein in the step (D) further comprises a steps of electrically connecting said steel reinforcing elements in said protection area and ensuring an electrical conductivity between said steel reinforcing element. 
     
     
         5 . The method, as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said adhesive material is selected from a group consisting of cement grout and epoxy flues with conductive particles. 
     
     
         6 . The method, as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said adhesive material is selected from a group consisting of cement grout and epoxy flues with conductive particles. 
     
     
         7 . A cathode protection apparatus for reinforced concrete structure, comprising:
 one or more steel reinforcing elements embedded into a concrete;   a CFRP member arranged into said concrete to be an auxiliary anode and is spacedly arranged away from said steel reinforcing elements through said concrete;   an electrical conductive adhesive material applied on a surface of said CFRP member facing towards said steel reinforcing elements; and   a DC power supply for providing the essential power to said cathode protection apparatus which has a positive electrode connecting with said CFRP member and a negative electrode connecting with said steel reinforcing elements, wherein said steel reinforcing elements and said CFRP member are connected with each other via said concrete and said adhesive material, so as to foam a close conductive circuit with said DC power supply.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus, as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a control device connected to said DC power supply for controlling the strength of the current in said apparatus, and an investigation device connected to said steel reinforcing elements and said concrete for testing the corrosion condition of said steel reinforcing elements. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus, as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the number of said steel reinforcing elements is at least one, so when the number of said steel reinforcing elements is large than one, each of said steel reinforcing element needs to be electrically connected for testing their electric connectivity. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus, as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the number of said steel reinforcing elements is at least one, so when the number of said steel reinforcing elements is large than one, each of said steel reinforcing element needs to be electrically connected for testing their electric connectivity. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus, as recited in  claim 7 , said adhesive material is selected from a group consisting of cement grout and epoxy flues with conductive particles. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus, as recited in  claim 8 , said adhesive material is selected from a group consisting of cement grout and epoxy flues with conductive particles. 
     
     
         13 . A cathode protection reinforcing method for reinforced concrete structure, comprising steps of:
 A. removing loose concrete within a reinforcing region of a reinforced concrete body, and polishing and smoothing to flat and clean;   B. embedding a plurality of protection-needed main steel reinforcing elements into said reinforced concrete body, wherein each of said steel reinforcing elements is electrically connected;   C. arranging a CFRP member on a surface of said reinforcing region of said reinforced concrete body; and   D. connecting an external power supply providing a constant current for said main steel reinforcing elements between said steel reinforcing elements and said CFRP member to form a serially-close conductive circuit.   
     
     
         14 . The reinforcing method, as recited in  claim 13 , wherein in the step (D) further comprises a step of serially-linking with a control device for controlling the strength of the current in said close conductive circuit, and an investigation device for testing the corrosion condition of said steel reinforcing elements. 
     
     
         15 . The reinforcing method, as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said CFRP member is a composite material having CFRP as a main component, which utilizes the dynamic property and the electrochemical property of the CFRP. 
     
     
         16 . The reinforcing method, as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said CFRP member is a composite material having CFRP as a main component, which utilizes the dynamic property and the electrochemical property of the CFRP. 
     
     
         17 . The reinforcing method, as recited in  claim 14 , wherein in the step (C) further comprises a step of that said steel reinforcing elements are embedded in said concrete of said reinforced concrete body, and said CFRP member and said concrete are connected with electrical conductive adhesive materials. 
     
     
         18 . The reinforcing method, as recited in  claim 15 , wherein in the step (C) further comprises a step of that said steel reinforcing elements are embedded in said concrete of said reinforced concrete body, and said CFRP member and said concrete are connected with electrical conductive adhesive materials. 
     
     
         19 . The reinforcing method, as recited in  claim 15 , adhesive material is selected from a group consisting of cement grout and epoxy flues with conductive particles. 
     
     
         20 . The reinforcing method, as recited in  claim 16 , adhesive material is selected from a group consisting of cement grout and epoxy flues with conductive particles. 
     
     
         21 . A cathode protection reinforcing apparatus for reinforced concrete structure, comprising:
 a CFRP member arranged on a surface of a reinforcing region of a reinforced concrete body;   a plurality of main steel reinforcing elements embedded into said reinforced concrete body; and   an external DC power supply for impressing constant current to said main steel reinforcing elements, wherein each of said main steel reinforcing element is electrically connected, wherein said external DC power supply is connected between said main steel reinforcing element and said CFRP member.   
     
     
         22 . The reinforcing apparatus, as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising a control device connected to said DC power supply for controlling the strength of the current in said apparatus, and an investigation device connected to said steel reinforcing elements and said concrete for testing the corrosion condition of said steel reinforcing elements. 
     
     
         23 . The reinforcing apparatus, as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said steel reinforcing elements are embedded in said concrete of said reinforced concrete body, and said CFRP member and said concrete are connected with electrical conductive adhesive materials. 
     
     
         24 . The reinforcing apparatus, as recited in  claim 22 , wherein said steel reinforcing elements are embedded in said concrete of said reinforced concrete body, and said CFRP member and said concrete are connected with electrical conductive adhesive materials. 
     
     
         25 . The reinforcing apparatus, as recited in  claim 23 , adhesive material is selected from a group consisting of cement grout and epoxy flues with conductive particles. 
     
     
         26 . The reinforcing apparatus, as recited in  claim 24 , adhesive material is selected from a group consisting of cement grout and epoxy flues with conductive particles. 
     
     
         27 . The reinforcing apparatus, as recited in  claim 25 , wherein said main steel reinforcing elements, said concrete, said CFRP member, and said external power supply are sequentially and electrically connected. 
     
     
         28 . The reinforcing apparatus, as recited in  claim 26 , wherein said main steel reinforcing elements, said concrete, said CFRP member, and said external power supply are sequentially and electrically connected. 
     
     
         29 . The reinforcing apparatus, as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said CFRP member is a CFRP plate, and the thickness of said CFRP plate is 1˜2 mm. 
     
     
         30 . The reinforcing apparatus, as recited in  claim 22 , wherein said CFRP member is a CFRP plate, and the thickness of said CFRP plate is 1˜2 mm. 
     
     
         31 . The reinforcing apparatus, as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said reinforced concrete body is selected from a group consisting of a rectangular structure and a cylindrical structure. 
     
     
         32 . The reinforcing apparatus, as recited in  claim 22 , wherein said reinforced concrete body is selected from a group consisting of a rectangular structure and a cylindrical structure. 
     
     
         33 . A processing method for reinforced concrete structure with cathode protection CFRP structure, comprising steps of:
 A. integrally mounting a reinforced concrete body with a CFRP member:   B. mounting said CFRP member on a surface of a reinforcing region of said reinforced concrete body;   C. embedding at least one steel reinforcing elements around an inner peripheral of said reinforced concrete body; and   D. connecting an external power supply to said CFRP member for impressing current to said steel reinforcing elements, such that said steel reinforcing element, said external power supply, and said CFRP member form a close current loop.   
     
     
         34 . The processing method, as recited in  claim 33 , wherein in the step (D) further comprises a step of serially-linking with a control device for controlling the strength of the current in said close current loop, and an investigation device for testing the corrosion condition of said steel reinforcing elements. 
     
     
         35 . The processing method, as recited in  claim 33 , wherein said CFRP member is a composite material mixing with different fibers and matrix materials. 
     
     
         36 . The processing method, as recited in  claim 34 , wherein said CFRP member is a composite material mixing with different fibers and matrix materials. 
     
     
         37 . A composite structure for reinforced concrete structure with cathode protection CFRP structure, comprising:
 a CFRP member arranged on a surface of a reinforcing region of a reinforced concrete body;   at least one steel reinforcing elements embedded into said reinforced concrete body; and   an external power supply connected to said CFRP member for impressing current to said steel reinforcing elements; wherein   said reinforced concrete body is integrally mounting with said CFRP member.   
     
     
         38 . The composite structure, as recited in  claim 37 , further comprising a control device connected to said DC power supply for controlling the strength of the current in said apparatus, and an investigation device connected to said steel reinforcing elements and said concrete for testing the corrosion condition of said steel reinforcing elements. 
     
     
         39 . The composite structure, as recited in  claim 37 , wherein a plurality of said steel reinforcing elements is embedded into said reinforced concrete body, and all said steel reinforcing elements are electrically connected. 
     
     
         40 . The composite structure, as recited in  claim 38 , wherein a plurality of said steel reinforcing elements is embedded into said reinforced concrete body, and all said steel reinforcing elements are electrically connected. 
     
     
         41 . The composite structure, as recited in  claim 37 , wherein said external power supply is a DC power supply. 
     
     
         42 . The composite structure, as recited in  claim 38 , wherein said external power supply is a DC power supply. 
     
     
         43 . The composite structure, as recited in  claim 37 , wherein said reinforced concrete body is selected from a group consisting of a rectangular structure and a cylindrical structure. 
     
     
         44 . The composite structure, as recited in  claim 38 , wherein said reinforced concrete body is selected from a group consisting of a rectangular structure and a cylindrical structure. 
     
     
         45 . The composite structure, as recited in  claim 43 , wherein said reinforced concrete body is a circular concrete column and a plurality of said steel reinforcing elements are arranged around a peripheral of said reinforced concrete body and each of said steel reinforcing elements is electrically connected. 
     
     
         46 . The composite structure, as recited in  claim 44 , wherein said reinforced concrete body is a circular concrete column and a plurality of said steel reinforcing elements are arranged around a peripheral of said reinforced concrete body and each of said steel reinforcing elements is electrically connected. 
     
     
         47 . The composite structure, as recited in  claim 43 , wherein said CFRP member is a CFRP pipe. 
     
     
         48 . The composite structure, as recited in  claim 44  wherein CFRP member said to is a CFRP pipe.