18. Modelling the durability of concrete for nuclear waste disposal facilities

Title: 18. Modelling the durability of concrete for nuclear waste disposal facilities
Author(s): O.P.J. Kari, J.A. Puttonen
Paper category : conference
Book title: NUCPERF 2009 - Long Term Performance of Cementitious Barriers and Reinforced Concrete in Nuclear Power Plants and Waste Management
Editor(s): V. L'Hostis, R. Gens, C. Gallé
Print-ISBN: 978-2-35158-072-1
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-087-5
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2009
Pages: 167 - 174
Total Pages: 8
Nb references: 2
Language: English

Abstract: The multiple engineered barriers ensuring the safety of low- and intermediate-level waste repositories are required in the Finnish disposal concept to be serviceable for at least 500 years after the facilities are sealed. The engineered barriers mainly consist of concrete structures and this requires the design work and justification to be based on knowledge of the fundamental degradation mechanisms of reinforced concrete under such conditions.

The fundamental questions to be clarified are the effect of the interaction between different mechanisms on the ageing of reinforced concrete and the possible differences between the results of conventional methods and those achieved with a mathematical model that takes into account the interaction of the relevant degradation mechanisms. The mechanisms studied were: the aerial carbonation of concrete; chloride penetration; the corrosion of concrete caused by the sulphate and magnesium, and the leaching of cement paste.

The results achieved by implementing the model into a finite element program indicate that the interaction of deterioration mechanisms is an important factor and should be considered when estimating the durability of reinforced concrete for over 500 years. It was confirmed that the long-term deterioration of reinforced concrete may not be estimated with sufficient accuracy by conventional single-phenomenon models.

Online publication: 2009-11-16
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00