Cathodic Protection System for Civil Works Structures

Course Summary:

USACE uses CPSs in combination with protective coatings to mitigate corrosion of hydraulic structures immersed in fresh, brackish, or salt water. Protective coatings alone generally cannot offer complete corrosion protection because they usually contain some pinholes, scratches, and connected porosity, and over time these imperfections become increasingly permeable. As coatings degrade with time, these imperfections, commonly known as holidays, have a profound effect on overall coating integrity because of underfilm corrosion. CPSs, when used in conjunction with protective coatings, have been effective in controlling corrosion. CPSs consist of anodes that pass a protective current to the structure through the electrolyte environment. CPSs can be one of two types, sacrificial anode or impressed current anode. Hybrid CPSs installed on structures can include both types of anodes to provide protective current.

Learning Objective:

This manual provides guidance for the selection, design, installation, operation, and maintenance of cathodic protection systems (CPSs) used to supplement paint systems for corrosion control on civil works hydraulic structures. It also discusses possible solutions to some of the problems with CPSs that may be encountered at existing projects.

Review the quiz before studying the course.

Course Content

Course Author: US Army Corp of Engineers