In order to make a practical application of boundary element method (BEM) for quantitative predictions of cadmdic protection and macro-cell corrosion, a BEM analysis system banned on the 2D, 3D and axi-symmetric programs was developed. The system consists of a polarization curve database and programs to perform element discretization, input file set-up, boundary element analysis and graphic display of input and output data. Even an engineer with no knowledge of corrosion will be able to operate this system easily and perform effective analysis. The usefulness of the system was demonstrated by an application example for the cathodic protection design of a seawater pump. In this system, the effects of flow-rate and time on the polarization curve can be taken into account for defining the boundary conditions.
Keywords: Boundary element method (REM), 2D, 3D, axi-symmetry, potential, current density, cathodic protection, galvanic corrusion, polarization curve, seawater, pump