Prevention of corrosion in post-tensioned structures: electrically isolated tendons

Elsener Bernhard

2022-01-01

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Abstract

Post-tensioning structures with metallic ducts risk corrosion, rupture or collapses due to chloride ingress. The use of tight corrugated polymer ducts combined with electrically isolated anchorag-es (EIT) changed the situation. Laboratory and many field applications proved the tightness of the duct, showing resistance values higher or much higher than 50 kΩm, the acceptance criteria for a tight duct. The most important fact is that EIT tendons allow quality control and long-term mon-itoring of the duct tightness. EIT ducts (also with resistance values below the threshold criteria) can be monitored over the whole service life: only a progressive decrease of the measured re-sistance indicates a corrosion risk for this specific tendon. The most important structural elements can be easily monitored for the first time and damage initiation can be detected early. After a successful use in Europe EIT technology is now expanding progressively in the US.