Cathodic protection system for reinforced concrete expansion joint applications

The invention comprises an anode assembly for a cathodic protection system for reinforced concrete structures with expansion joints using a flexible ionic conductive adhesive, sealant or caulk which functions as a flexible salt bridge, applied within the joints bridging adjacent concrete slabs or parts of the reinforced concrete structure and an impressed current or sacrificial anode assembly to overcome the movement and vibrations of the expansion joints which can be found in any concrete structure. The anode assembly may be placed within the flexible ionic conductive adhesive, sealant or caulk, but may be also placed within the expansion joint directly on the surface of the concrete without the use of ionic conductive adhesive, sealant or caulk. The anode assembly for impressed current cathodic protection can be of any electrode material like noble or valve metals (metals from a group including but not limited to tungsten, tantalum, niobium and zirconium) coated with one or more noble metals or coated with mixed-metal-oxides (MMO) in any form or shape, such as tape, mesh, wire, grid, tube or strip. The anode material for sacrificial cathodic protection can be of any electrode material like alkali metals (metals from a group including but not limited to zinc, aluminium and magnesium or any metal which is more electronegative than steel in concrete) in any form or shape, such as tape, mesh, wire, net, grid, tube, strip or rolled sheet, sandwiched, embedded or covered by any electrolytic material containing metal activating agents, humectants, mortars or grouts.