Radiation resistance evaluation of HCP with superplasticizers using DSC

Abstract

Today, when constructing new nuclear power plants, they most often start from the data of studies conducted more than 50 years ago. At the same time, the modern achievements of construction science, such as high-tech concrete compositions using highly effective admixtures, are applied either without preliminary studies with irradiation, or are not applied at all. In this paper, we consider the mechanism of radiation-thermal changes in concrete under the influence of neutron irradiation, as the most dangerous factor in the external impact on the design of modern nuclear power plants. The methodology for assessing the radiation resistance of concrete developed by domestic specialists, as well as the possibility of using the differential scanning calorimetry method as part of a comprehensive assessment of the effect of modern admixtures (using the example of superplasticizers) on the radiation resistance of concrete, is considered. It was proved that when analyzing the effect of admixtures on the radiation resistance of concrete, it is sufficient to conduct studies on the HCP rather than using concrete. To analytically establish the effect of superplasticizers on the radiation resistance of HCP, polycarboxylate superplasticizers of well-known brands with short side chains and insignificant steric effect, as well as long side chains and high steric effect. The general behaviour of HCP with superplasticizers was observed using DSC.