Report rep019 : Considerations for Use in Managing the Aging of Nuclear Power Plant Concrete Structures - State-of-the-Art Report of RILEM TC 160-MLN

In the development of a methodology for the prediction of the service life of nuclear power plant concrete structures, effects of aging and environmental stressors that might diminish the ability of these structures to withstand future operating conditions, extreme environment, or accident conditions, have to be taken into account.

Application of structural reliability techniques to make an evaluation of the remaining service life of a reinforced concrete structure requires the integration of information on design requirements, material and structural degradation and damage accumulation, environmental factors, nondestructive and destructive testing technology, and mitigation and repair methods into a decision tool.

It is recognized that the civil engineering industry already possesses considerable knowledge in many of these areas. However, an important objective of this activity is the application of this knowledge to nuclear safety-related concrete structures.

In order to provide the basis for development of a life prediction methodology, a series of state-of-the-art reports related to current practices for aging management of concrete structures in nuclear power plants has been prepared by this committee and are provided in this document. Topics addressed in these papers include use of concrete and longevity considerations, methodologies for service life prediction, instrumentation systems, concrete and concrete materials-related databases, creep methodologies, repair materials and methods, probabilistic methods for assessment of current and future performance, and national and international aging management programs. Although the information contained in these papers is aimed at nuclear power plant concrete structures, it is equally applicable to general civil engineering structures as well as decommissioning-related activities.

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