Development and Deployment of Titanium Alloy Bars for Strengthening and Cathodic Protection of Corrosion Damaged Transportation Infrastructure

Project Details
STATE

OR

SOURCE

RIP

START DATE

10/01/23

END DATE

09/30/24

RESEARCHERS

Britain Bruner, Stacey Kulesza, Christopher Higgins

SPONSORS

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology; Coastal Research and Education Actions for Transportation Equity; Oregon State University, Corvallis

KEYWORDS

Cathodic protection, Coastal engineering, Concrete structures, Corrosion, Reinforced concrete, Titanium alloys

LINKS

Link

Project description

This project will develop and demonstrate a new concept for strengthening and preserving corrosion-damaged coastal transportation infrastructure. A system of titanium alloy bars (TiABs) combined with a surface coating and bonding system will be developed. The TiABs provide immediate strengthening and then are integrated into an impressed current cathodic protection system to provide long-term durability of corrosion-damaged reinforced concrete structures. This multi-functional material application is novel for civil infrastructure applications. The research will develop a mixed metal oxide (MMO) coating for the TiABs that will enable them to be used effectively in an ICCP system over long timescales. No prior MMO system has been used at the scale required for civil infrastructure. The system will be demonstrated on conventional reinforced concrete beams and on AASHTO Type III prestressed concrete girders that were widely used in past bridge applications. These members, when located in environments subjected to salt intrusion such as in coastal environments are susceptible to corrosion and resulting loss of strength. Results will be a field applicable system with design guidelines for allowing implementation into rehabilitation and preservation practices.
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