• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제56권4호
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• pp.1385-1397
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• 2024

Bentonite is a recommended material for the multiple barriers in the final disposal of low-level radioactive waste (LLW) to prevent groundwater intrusion and nuclear species migration. However, after drying-wetting cycling during the repository construction stage and ion exchange with the concrete barrier in the long-term repository, the bentonite mechanical behaviors, including swelling capacity and hydraulic conductivity, would be further influenced by the groundwater intrusion, resulting in radioactive leakage. To comprehensively examine the factors on the mechanical characteristics of bentonite, this study presented scenarios involving MX-80 and KV-1 bentonites subjected to drying-wetting cycling and accelerated ion migration. The experiments subsequently measured free swelling, swelling pressure, and hydraulic conductivity of bentonites with intrusions of seawater, high pH, and low pH solutions. The results indicated that the solutions caused a reduction in swelling volume and pressure, and an increase in hydraulic conductivity. Specifically, the swelling capability of bentonite with drying-wetting cycling in the seawater decreased significantly by 60%, while hydraulic conductivity increased by more than three times. Therefore, the study suggested minimizing drying-wetting cycling and preventing seawater intrusion, ensuring a long service life of the multiple barriers in the LLW repository.

• 콘크리트학회논문집
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.171-179
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• 1999

The present research investigated the interaction among loading level, corrosion rate and flexural deflection of reinforced concrete beams. 10cm$\times$15cm$\times$110cm reinforced concrete beams were prepared and subjected to different levels of flexural loading, including 0%, 45% and 75% of the ultimate load. The beams with either a pre-load or a sustained load were also exposed to a laboratory environment with ponding and wetting/drying cycling at room temperature. Half cell potential and galvanized current measurements were taken to monitor corrosion process of reinforcing steel. After corrosion initiation, external current was applied to some of the beams to accelerate corrosion propagation. The beam deflections were recorded during the entire tests. The results indicate that loading level has significant effect on corrosion rate. The beams under a sustained load had much higher corrosion rate than the pre-loaded and then unloaded beams. Significant corrosion may result in an increase in beam deflection and affect serviceability of the structure. The present research may provide an insight into structural condition evaluation and service life predictions of reinforced concrete.

• 한국건축시공학회지
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.359-368
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• 2014

Photocatalytic cement has been receiving attention due to its high oxidation power that reduces nitrogen oxide, thus contributing to a clean atmospheric environment. However, there has not yet been a thorough investigation on the effect of photocatalytic reactions on the durability of cementitious material, the parent material. In this study, photocatalytic cement samples were exposed to nitric oxide gas and UV along with cycles of wetting and drying to simulate environmental conditions. The surface of samples was characterized mechanically, chemically, and visually during the cycling. The results indicate that that the photocatalytic efficiency decreased with continued NO oxidation. The pits found from SEM indicated that chemical deterioration, such as acid attack or leaching, did occur. However, this was not confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The hardness was not affected, probably due to the formation of CSH as evidenced by the XRD pattern. In conclusion, it was found that photocatalysis could alter cementitious materials both chemically and mechanically, which could further affect long-term durability.

• 한국건축시공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국건축시공학회 2014년도 춘계 학술논문 발표대회
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• pp.248-249
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• 2014

Photocatalytic cement is receiving attention due to its high oxidation power that oxidizes nitrogen oxides (NOx), thus contributing to clean atmospheric environment. However, there has not been a thorough investigation on durability of a parent material, cementitious material, as a result of photocatalytic reactions. In this study, durability of photocatalytic cementitious materials exposed to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) gas was examined. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles containing cement paste samples were exposed to cycles of NO₂ with UV light, followed by wetting and drying to simulate environmental condition. The surface of samples was characterized mechanically, chemically, and visually during the cycling. The results indicate that the photocatalytic efficiency decreased with continued NO₂ oxidation due to calcium carbonate formation. The pits found from SEM demonstrate that chemical deterioration have occurred, such as acid attack or leaching. In conclusion, the photocatalytic reactions and its product could alter cementitious materials chemically and mechanically which could further affect long-term durability.