Corrosion behaviour of steel rebars embedded in a concrete designed for the construction of an intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal facility

G.S Duffó,F.M Schulz,E.A Arva,D.R Vazquez,V L’Hostis,R Gens

doi:10.1051/epjconf/20135606001

Abstract

The National Atomic Energy Commission of the Argentine Republic is developing a nuclear waste disposal management programme that contemplates the design and construction of a facility for the final disposal of intermediate-level radioactive wastes. The repository is based on the use of multiple, independent and redundant barriers. The major components are made in reinforced concrete so, the durability of these structures is an important aspect for the facility integrity. This work presents an investigation performed on an instrumented reinforced concrete prototype specifically designed for this purpose, to study the behaviour of an intermediate level radioactive waste disposal facility from the rebar corrosion point of view. The information obtained will be used for the final design of the facility in order to guarantee a service life more or equal than the foreseen durability for this type of facilities.

Highlights

This work presents an investigation performed on an instrumented reinforced concrete prototype designed for this purpose, to study the behaviour of an intermediate level radioactive waste disposal facility from the rebar corrosion point of view
Since 1950, the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) of the Argentine Republic works on the development of nuclear energy applications for pacific purposes
The cover concrete of this prototype is 50 mm. This wall simulates the corner of the radioactive waste disposal cells, and was built in the Centro Atómico Constituyentes grounds, of the National Atomic Energy Commission, where the external temperature was measured periodically

Summary

Introduction

Since 1950, the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) of the Argentine Republic works on the development of nuclear energy applications for pacific purposes. The CNEA is the implementing authority to perform all activities related to the radioactive waste management and sets up the Radioactive Waste Management National Program (PNGRR) [1] ILRW is originated from operation and maintenance activities of the two Argentine Nuclear Power Plants (Atucha I and Embalse), and consist mainly of mechanical filters from the primary circuit of the reactor and by spent ionic exchange resin beds. A comparison between laboratory and field data were done

Experimental Technique

Results and discussion

Conclusions