Extending Service Life of a Coastal Shopping Plaza with an ICCP System | Florida, USA
Services Applied by VCS Engineering
Project Description
A coastal shopping Plaza is comprised of three separate pile-supported structures over the water with cast-in place girders supporting precast floor panels with a topping slab. It is believed that the buildings were built during the late 1950’s or early 1960’s. The plaza is located near the mouth of the Hudson River and is directly exposed to a marine environment. Over the years the structure has undergone multiple repair events due to the severe exposure. As part of an extensive foundation repair project conducted during 2015 to 2016, VCS was engaged to design an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system and perform installation quality control and commissioning testing.
Project Methodology
VCS conducted a corrosion condition assessment in 2012 to determine reinforcing patterns, concrete quality, and corrosion activity within the girders of the three structures. These findings were combined with petrographic and chloride testing previously conducted by COWI. The data indicated widespread chloride exposure at the reinforcing level and the need for a comprehensive corrosion mitigation strategy.
To extend the service life of the structure, the selected approach included foundation pile rehabilitation and the installation of an impressed current cathodic protection system using Ebonex® discrete tubular ceramic anodes within the girders.
Project Results and Conclusions
VCS designed a cathodic protection system to protect the girder reinforcing steel in each building using a consistent strategy. The ICCP system incorporated Ebonex® discrete tubular ceramic anodes, multiple rectifier cabinets, independently controlled protection zones, and embedded reference electrodes to enable targeted current distribution and system monitoring.
Upon commissioning, the system met design performance criteria and has continued to operate within intended parameters, providing effective corrosion mitigation and supporting the long-term durability of the structures.