ENGINEERING THE REHABILITATION OF REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES IN GAS AND FUEL OIL DISTRIBUTION DOCKS OF THE PACIFIC COAST OF MEXICO

This work is dedicated to report the engineering developments produced by an initiative to rehabilitate the reinforced concrete structures of PEMEX dedicated to the gas and fuel oil supply of important regions of the Mexican coastal regions including Mazatlan, Acapulco and Salina Cruz. A general assessment is presented showing the apparent needs of repairs and corrosion prevention investments associated to the steel reinforcement in concrete beams, slabs and pilots of the docks. A diagnosis was performed employing visual, sonic hammering, sclerometer concrete strength measurements, rebar to concrete electrolyte potentials, concrete electrical conductivity, and chloride penetration. The results of the study are discussed as well as the consequences in terms of repairs to be performed. We show an approach to mitigate corrosion activity through applying cathodic protection and protective coatings to reinforced concrete steel. The design of cathodic protection was developed based on distributed and discreet sacrificial anodes.