UFTI Affiliate Conducts Research on Corrosion in Post-Tensioned Cables

In a series of projects funded by the Florida Department of Transportation, University of Florida researchers explored the use of indirect impedance as a method of corrosion detection on post-tensioned cables. UFTI affiliate, Mark Orazem, Ph.D., was the principal investigator on the project. The research included fundamental studies on corrosion rates and oxide film thickness for ASRM A416 steel in simulated pore solutions and in grout. Practical studies determined how indirect impedance may be employed in field applications. Indirect impedance was first proposed to detect corrosion of concrete reinforcement, but the idea explored in the project was that the confined geometry of the tendon may facilitate interpretation, making indirect impedance more useful than it has been in assessing the condition of concrete structures. The report for the final project in the series was recently published.

FDOT Project BDV31-977-35 – Impedance-Based Detection of Corrosion in Post-Tensioned Cables: Phase 2 from Concept to Application

PI: Mark Orazem, Ph.D.

Summary: [Link]

Final Report: [Link]