Tetra Durability of cathodic protection systems for existing concrete

In the coming years, the Belgian concrete sector will face a considerable challenge arising from the increasing deterioration of existing structures due to concrete rot, a dangerous and costly degradation mechanism. Traditional concrete repairs often offer only a temporary solution and, in the long term, lead to repeated interventions, high costs and a significant ecological footprint. Cathodic protection (CP), on the other hand, is a proven technique that actively slows down the corrosion current and can extend the life of concrete structures by decades. Nevertheless, the application of CP in Belgium remains limited due to gaps in knowledge and experience, high initial investment thresholds and a conservative mindset within the sector.
With CP Dur, we want to break through these barriers and position CP as a standard repair method within the Belgian concrete repair sector. The project focuses on the technical, economic and ecological optimisation of KB systems and on developing a practical design protocol that enables contractors, designers and managers to make informed choices. In this way, we want to make KB widely accessible and embed it in the Flemish concrete repair sector. Our goal is to develop and demonstrate an integrated KB design protocol that leads to a significant extension of the service life of concrete structures, a reduction in failure costs, and a measurable decrease in the ecological footprint through life cycle analyses.
To achieve this, an extensive database will be developed with data from existing KB projects and literature, supplemented by experimental research into failure mechanisms and critical design and environmental parameters. In addition, simplified KB calculation models and guidelines will be developed that provide insight into protection currents and potential distributions and make the design user-friendly. The economic and ecological impact of KB will be objectively quantified via LCA and LCCA and translated into practical decision-making tools. Ultimately, this will lead to a validated and accessible KB design protocol that can be widely used for reference cases such as bridges, car parks and swimming pools.
Through the synergy of data development, experimental and numerical research and practical validation, this project will result in a transformative methodology that makes RC scalable and economically feasible. In doing so, we offer a sustainable solution for the imminent wave of renovation of concrete structures in Flanders, with clear economic, ecological and social added value.