Research on Key Technologies for the Monitoring and Preventive Maintenance of Cable Anchorage Ends in Corrosive Environments

Abstract

China has entered a period of large-scale bridge maintenance, and long-span cable-stayed bridges in service for more than 15 years are frequently facing issues such as water seepage at anchorages, excessive humidity, and corrosion of steel components. Via traditional sealing and monitoring methods, it is difficult to detect hidden hazards in concealed areas in a timely manner. In this paper, an anchorage end protection system that integrates visual monitoring and active humidity control while accounting for sealing conditions is proposed. Using actual cases such as the Jintang Bridge and Taoyaomen Bridge from the Zhoushan Island Link Project, the shortcomings of traditional maintenance measures and the causes of defects are analyzed. Experimental and onsite validation demonstrate that this system effectively delays corrosion, enhances detectability, and improves maintenance efficiency, providing an engineering reference for the full-lifecycle management of large-span cable-stayed bridges.

Keywords

cable-stayed bridge / anchorage end / corrosion protection / visual monitoring / humidity control

References

[1] Liu, X.; Sun, J.; Zhu, L.; Zhang, Y. Corrosion mechanisms of high-strength steel in anchorages under coupled humidity and stress. Corrosion Science 2022, 194, 109956, doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2022.109956.

[2] Sun, J.; Li, X.; Wang, C. Accelerated testing methods for corrosion in cable anchorages under simulated marine environments. Materials and Corrosion 2021, 72(5), 831-842, doi: 10.1002/maco.202112345.

[3] Zhu, L.; Chen, J.; Zhou, B. Probabilistic modeling of corrosion initiation in bridge cables under time-varying humidity. Reliability Engineering & System Safety 2020, 203, doi: 10.1016/j.ress.2020.107067.

[4] Zhang, Y.; Liu, H.; Wang, L. Advanced sealing systems for cable-stayed bridge anchorages: A review. Engineering Structures 2022, 256. doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.114067.

[5] Cao, J. Overview of the Construction Scheme for the Jiasong Highway Bridge over the Huangpu River. Prestress Technology 2025, 3(03):73-87. doi: 10.59238/j.pt.2025.03.006

[6] Xu, Y. Research Planning and Experimental Study on Soft Soil Foundation Suspension Bridges. Prestress Technology 2025, 3(01):73-82. doi: 10.59238/j.pt.2025.01.006

[7] Zhou, B.; Liu, H.; Zhang, K. Fatigue performance of rubber-based waterproof covers for bridge cables under coupled environmental and mechanical loads. Materials & Design 2019, 183, 108136, doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2019.108136.

[8] Liu, H.; Zhang, K.; Yang, S. Long-term durability of HDPE and rubber composite seals in marine environments. Ocean Engineering 2018, 165, 246-255, doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2018.07.045.

[9] Li, X.; Wang, C.; Chen, J. Experimental study on multi-layer sealants for cable-guide tube interfaces under cyclic loading. Journal of Bridge Engineering 2021, 26(5), 04021025, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)BE.1943-5592.0002102.

[10] Chen, J.; Zhou, B.; Liu, H. A novel labyrinth-sealing design for corrosion prevention in cable anchorages. Con-struction and Building Materials 2020, 246, 118431, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118431.

[11] ISO 12944-9:2018. Corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems - Part 9: Protective paint systems and laboratory performance test methods for atmospheric corrosion environments. 2018.

[12] Wang, L.; Yang, S.; Kim, D. Integrated sensor network for real-time monitoring of corrosion and humidity in cable anchorages. Structural Health Monitoring 2023, 22(3), 1450-1465, doi: 10.1177/14759217231123456.

[13] Yang, S.; Kim, D.; Guo, T. A visual inspection system for hidden areas of bridge anchorages using micro-cameras and IoT. Automation in Construction 2022, 138, 104234, doi: 10.1016/j.autcon.2022.104234.

[14] Kim, D.; Park, J.; Feng, D. Low-power wireless sensor nodes for long-term humidity monitoring in civil infrastructure. Sensors 2021, 21(4), 1321, doi: 10.3390/s21041321.

[15] Feng, D.; Li, Z.; Xu, R. A multi-parameter fusion algorithm for early warning of cable corrosion. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing 2019, 128, 217-233, doi: 10.1016/j.ymssp.2019.03.045.

[16] Guo, T.; Feng, D.; Li, Z. EMC-compatible sensor design for harsh electromagnetic environments in bridges. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement 2020, 69(6), 3212-3220, doi: 10.1109/TIM.2020.2964567.

[17] Li, Z.; Xu, R.; Wang, Y. Computational fluid dynamics modeling of dehumidification in cable anchorages. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics 2023, 234, 105349, doi: 10.1016/j.jweia.2023.105349.

[18] Xu, R.; Wang, Y.; Chen, H. Active humidity control in enclosed spaces of bridges using Peltier-based dehumidifiers. Energy and Buildings 2022, 254, 111563, doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111563.

[19] Wang, Y.; Chen, H.; Li, P. Optimization of air inlet/outlet configurations for dehumidification efficiency using Eulerian multiphase models. Building and Environment 2021, 196, 107792, doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.107792.

[20] Chen, H.; Li, P.; Zhang, K. Turbulence model selection for moisture transport simulation in cable ducts. Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics 2020, 14(1), 1197-1210, doi: 10.1080/19942060.2020.1792432.

[21] Zhang, K.; Wang, R.; Zhao, M. Field validation of a dehumidification system for cable-stayed bridges in coastal areas. Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities 2019, 33(4), 04019035, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-5509.0001903.

[22] Wang, R.; Zhao, M.; Deng, Y. Case study: Corrosion prevention in Zhoushan Archipelago bridges (Jintang and Taoyaomen Bridges). Bridge Maintenance, Safety, and Management 2022, 145-152, doi: 10.2749/222137908796293145.

[23] Zhao, M.; Deng, Y.; Wei, Q. Long-term performance of sealed anchorages in cross-sea bridges: A 10-year review. Engineering Failure Analysis 2021, 126, 105465, doi: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2021.105465.

[24] Deng, Y.; Wei, Q.; Li, G. Digital twin framework for corrosion prediction in cable-stayed bridges. Advanced Engineering Informatics 2023, 56, 101987, doi: 10.1016/j.aei.2023.101987.

[25] Wei, Q.; Li, G.; Yu, H. AI-based early warning system for bridge cable defects using multi-source data fusion. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence 2022, 116, 105470, doi: 10.1016/j.engappai.2022.105470.

[26] Li, G.; Yu, H.; Liu, X. Life-cycle cost analysis of integrated monitoring and dehumidification systems for long-span bridges. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering 2021, 17(8), 1056-1070, doi: 10.1080/15732479.2021.1897923.

[27] Yu, H.; Liu, X.; Sun, J. Maintenance strategy optimization for cable anchorages based on risk-based inspection. Journal of Infrastructure Systems 2020, 26(2), 04020008, doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)IS.1943-555X.0000543.