Mixed Metal Oxide-Coated Titanium Alloy Reinforcement for Ultra-Durable Coastal Transportation Infrastructure: Bridging Toward Infinity

This project develops and tests a new class of structural reinforcement bars made from titanium alloys with mixed metal oxide coatings, designed to dramatically extend the service life of bridges in marine environments. Unlike conventional steel, which corrodes when exposed to chloride, these bars resist corrosion while also functioning as active anodes in a cathodic protection system that shields surrounding steel. The research includes fabricating the coated bars, testing their mechanical and electrochemical performance under simulated coastal conditions, and evaluating large-scale structural specimens to establish a path toward practical field adoption.