Experimental study of repairing rust-cracked reinforced concrete by electrophoresis deposition method

The rusting and cracking of reinforced concrete structures cost billions of dollars around the world every year, and there is a lack of targeted repair methods. In this study, we first put forward an electrophoretic deposition repair method using a high-performance colloid solution containing water-based cationic epoxy resin. The effect of electrophoretic deposition on rust-cracked reinforced concrete was studied. Then, the mesoscopic and microscopic morphologies of the repaired concrete surface, cracks, and defects at the interface of reinforced concrete were examined. Finally, the mechanism of electrodeposition was discussed, and the related reactions were summarized (ionization, electrolysis, electrophoresis, electrodeposition, electroosmosis, and curing reaction). The results show that electrophoretic deposition successfully increased the internal compactness, unconfined compressive strength, and split tensile strength of reinforced concrete, while greatly reducing the water absorption and the accelerated carbonation depth.