Boston Barrier: Long-Term Resilience and Sustainable Asset Performance using Corrosion Management Technology
Overview
The Boston Barrier Scheme is a new major flood defense facility in Boston, Lincolnshire, designed to protect the town and surrounding areas from tidal flooding. Led by the Environment Agency, the scheme was identified as a national priority and forms an important part of Boston’s long-term resilience to climate change and rising sea levels.
The main barrier gate and associated flood walls were completed in December 2020, with the barrier becoming operational in November 2021. The scheme provides protection to more than 14,000 homes and businesses, helping safeguard the local community and economy from future tidal flooding.
C-Probe’s LoCem® +chase® geopolymer anode system plays an important role in maintaining and protecting the structure, providing a sustainable approach to long-term corrosion management.
The Challenge
As a major flood defense structure, the Boston Barrier is exposed to demanding marine and tidal conditions, presenting an ongoing risk of corrosion and deterioration.
A long-term protection strategy is therefore essential to maintain the structural integrity and performance of the barrier throughout its design life. The approach focuses on proactive corrosion management, helping to protect the structure over the long term while reducing the need for more extensive future intervention.
The C-Probe Contribution
C-Probe’s LocCem® +chase® system provides this sustainable approach to long-term protection and management in conjunction with encapsulation of mixed metal oxide (MMO) titanium ribbon anodes for the Boston Barrier.
Designed by Mott MacDonald to provide ongoing corrosion protection, LoCem® +chase® supports the durability and service life of reinforced concrete structures exposed to challenging environments by actively controlling the electrochemical cells on the steel surface by application of an impressed current to cathodically protect against corrosion. The system helps protect the existing structure and reduce the likelihood of more extensive repair or replacement in the future.
This long-term approach aligns with the wider sustainability objectives of the Boston Barrier Scheme, helping to preserve the existing infrastructure and the embodied carbon invested in its construction.
Results and Benefits
The use of C-Probe’s geopolymer anode mortar supports the long-term performance and durability of this nationally important flood defense asset.
Key benefits include:
- Long-term corrosion control: helping protect the structural integrity of the barrier.
- Extended service life: supporting the longevity of the existing infrastructure.
- Reduced maintenance requirements: enabling a proactive approach to corrosion management.
- Climate resilience: helping maintain critical flood defense infrastructure protecting more than 14,000 homes and businesses.
- Sustainability: supporting the preservation of existing infrastructure and its embodied carbon.
- Whole-life value: helping reduce the need for more extensive future repair or replacement.
The Boston Barrier demonstrates how C-Probe’s LoCem® +chase® geopolymer technology can support the long-term protection of critical infrastructure, combining corrosion management with a sustainable approach to asset preservation.
A corrosion protection strategy was therefore required that would:
- Protect the post-tensioned tendon anchorages from further corrosion
- Extend the service life of the structure
- Minimise future maintenance requirements
- Integrate with the wider concrete repair and protection programme across the development