Radiation-induced mechanical degradation in alkali activated materials : a combined experimental computational approach (R-7232)

The research focuses on the effects of ionizing radiation on alkali-activated materials for the use in nuclear safety structures, e.g. nuclear waste containers. Materials containing aluminate and silicate (e.g. coal fly ash) can react in alkaline conditions, yielding a solid material comparable to hardened Portland cement which is called an alkali-activated material (AAM). These materials are proven to be highly chemical and thermal resistant making them interesting candidates for application in nuclear safety structures. Unfortunately, no models are yet available describing the effects of ionizing radiation to predict in a reliable way the properties and applicability of AAM. The proposed research aims at developing a model for alkali-activated construction materials reusing a specific waste or residue stream, like industrial slags or fly ashes, and to use this for the study of irradiation effects on these materials. Therefore a mathematical model will be developed for a defined AAM describing the materials microstructure and its different phases. Next, the model will be optimized and adopted by comparing the experimental degradation data with the simulated results for the irradiation tests. With this research we aim to contribute to the knowledge of modeling AAM in general and the irradiation effects on these materials in particular.

Keywords:Radiation protection

Disciplines:Other engineering and technology