Modeling the mechanical behavior and damage development of concrete materials under neutron irradiation

Abstract

Evaluation of concrete structures in nuclear power plants (NPPs) under long-term irradiation exposure is important to ensure a safe and reliable operation of NPPs during extended service life from 40 to 80 years. In this study, a comprehensive multiscale framework of theoretical models was developed to predict the deformation and degradation of mechanical properties of concrete materials subject to long-term neutron irradiation. The generalized self-consistent model and the Mori–Tanaka model were used to characterize the mechanical properties of concrete with multiple phases and multiple scale internal structures. The overall expansion and degradation of mechanical properties of concrete resulted from neutron irradiation as well as elevated temperature were estimated using a composite damage mechanics approach. The neutron radiation-induced degradation, volumetric expansion of aggregates, thermal strains, and shrinkage of cement paste were considered in the comprehensive model. The model can be used as a predictive tool for the effect of long-term neutron irradiation on concrete used in NPPs.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

concrete / composite mechanics / damage / neutron radiation / mechanical properties

References

[1] EsselmanTBruckP. Expected Condition of Concrete at Age 80 Years of Reactor Operation. Technical Report, A13276-R-001. New York: Lucius Pitkin Incorporated, 2013

[2] Hilsdorf H , Kropp J , Koch H . The effects of nuclear radiation on the mechanical properties of concrete. ACI Special Publications, 1978, 55: 223–254

[3] Field K G , Remec I , Le Pape Y . Radiation effects in concrete for nuclear power plants—Part I: Quantification of radiation exposure and radiation effects. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2015, 282: 126–143

[4] MaruyamaIKontaniOTakizawaMSawadaSIshikawaoSYasukouchiJSatoOEtohJIgariT. Development of soundness assessment procedure for concrete members affected by neutron and gamma-ray irradiation. Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology, 2017, 15(9): 440–523

[5] Pomaro B . A review on radiation damage in concrete for nuclear facilities: from experiments to modeling. Modelling and Simulation in Engineering, 2016, 2016: 4165746

[6] Rosseel T M , Maruyama I , Le Pape Y , Kontani O , Giorla A B , Remec I , Wall J J , Sircar M , Andrade C , Ordonez M . Review of the current state of knowledge on the effects of radiation on concrete. Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology, 2016, 14(7): 368–383

[7] Pomaro B , Salomoni V A , Gramegna F , Prete G , Majorana C E . Radiation damage evaluation on concrete within a facility for Selective Production of Exotic Species (SPES Project), Italy. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2011, 194: 169–177

[8] Pomaro B , Salomoni V A , Gramegna F , Prete G , Majorana C E . Radiation damage evaluation on concrete shielding for nuclear physics experiments. Annals of Solid and Structural Mechanics, 2011, 2(2–4): 123–142

[9] Salomoni V A , Majorana C E , Pomaro B , Xotta G , Gramegna F . Macroscale and mesoscale analysis of concrete as a multiphase material for biological shields against nuclear radiation. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, 2014, 38(5): 518–535

[10] Khmurovska Y , Štemberk P , Fekete T , Eurajoki T . Numerical analysis of VVER-440/213 concrete biological shield under normal operation. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2019, 350: 58–66

[11] Jing Y , Xi Y . Theoretical modeling of the effects of neutron irradiation on properties of concrete. Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 2017, 143(12): 04017137

[12] Le Pape Y , Field K G , Remec I . Radiation effects in concrete for nuclear power plants, part II: Perspective from micromechanical modeling. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2015, 282: 144–157

[13] Giorla A , Vaitová M , Le Pape Y , Štemberk P . Meso-scale modeling of irradiated concrete in test reactor. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2015, 295: 59–73

[14] Giorla A B , Le Pape Y , Dunant C F . Computing creep-damage interactions in irradiated concrete. Journal of Nanomechanics & Micromechanics, 2017, 7(2): 04017001

[15] Pomaro B , Xotta G , Salomoni V A , Majorana C E . A thermo-hydro-mechanical numerical model for plain irradiated concrete in nuclear shielding. Materials and Structures, 2022, 55(1): 14

[16] Saklani N , Banwat G , Spencer B , Rajan S , Sant G , Neithalath N . Damage development in neutron-irradiated concrete in a test reactor: Hygro-thermal and mechanical simulations. Cement and Concrete Research, 2021, 142: 106349

[17] Sasano H , Maruyama I , Sawada S , Ohkubo T , Murakami K , Suzuki K . Meso-scale modelling of the mechanical properties of concrete affected by radiation-induced aggregate expansion. Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology, 2020, 18(10): 648–677

[18] Jing Y , Xi Y . Long-term neutron radiation levels in distressed concrete biological shielding walls. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2019, 363: 376–384

[19] Jing Y , Xi Y . Modeling long-term distribution of fast and thermal neutron fluence in degraded concrete biological shielding walls. Construction & Building Materials, 2021, 292: 123379

[20] Maruyama I , Haba K , Sato O , Ishikawa S , Kontani O , Takizawa M . A numerical model for concrete strength change under neutron and gamma-ray irradiation. Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology, 2016, 14(4): 144–162

[21] ChristensenR M. Mechanics of Composite Materials. New York: Dover Publications, 2005

[22] Xi Y , Jennings H M . Shrinkage of cement paste and concrete modelled by a multiscale effective homogeneous theory. Materials and Structures, 1997, 30(6): 329–339

[23] Meshgin P , Xi Y . Multi-scale composite models for the effective thermal conductivity of PCM-concrete. Construction & Building Materials, 2013, 48: 371–378

[24] Eskandari-Ghadi M , Zhang W , Xi Y , Sture S . Modeling of moisture diffusivity of concrete at low temperatures. Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 2013, 139(7): 903–915

[25] Lee J , Xi Y , Willam K , Jung Y . A multiscale model for modulus of elasticity of concrete at high temperatures. Cement and Concrete Research, 2009, 39(9): 754–762

[26] Benveniste Y . A new approach to the application of Mori–Tanaka’s theory in composite materials. Mechanics of Materials, 1987, 6(2): 147–157

[27] Mori T , Tanaka K . Average stress in matrix and average elastic energy of materials with misfitting inclusions. Acta Metallurgica, 1973, 21(5): 571–574

[28] Chen J , Jin X , Jin N , Tian Y . A nano-model for micromechanics-based elasticity prediction of hardened cement paste. Magazine of Concrete Research, 2014, 66(22): 1145–1153

[29] Damien D , Wang Y , Xi Y . Prediction of elastic properties of cementitious materials based on multiphase and multiscale micromechanics theory. Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 2019, 145(10): 04019074

[30] Vandamme M , Ulm F J , Fonollosa P . Nanogranular packing of C–S–H at substochiometric conditions. Cement and Concrete Research, 2010, 40(1): 14–26

[31] Stora E , He Q C , Bary B . Influence of inclusion shapes on the effective linear elastic properties of hardened cement pastes. Cement and Concrete Research, 2006, 36(7): 1330–1344

[32] StutzmanP EBullardJ WFengP. Quantitative Imaging of Clinker and Cement Microstructure. Gaithersburg: National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2015

[33] Acker P . Swelling, shrinkage and creep: A mechanical approach to cement hydration. Materials and Structures, 2004, 37(4): 237–243

[34] Velez K , Maximilien S , Damidot D , Fantozzi G , Sorrentino F . Determination by nanoindentation of elastic modulus and hardness of pure constituents of Portland cement clinker. Cement and Concrete Research, 2001, 31(4): 555–561

[35] Hunnicutt W , Rodriguez E T , Mondal P , Le Pape Y . Examination of gamma-irradiated calcium silicate hydrates. Part II: Mechanical properties. Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology, 2020, 18(10): 558–570

[36] Rodriguez E T , Hunnicutt W A , Mondal P , Le Pape Y . Examination of gamma-irradiated calcium silicate hydrates. Part I: Chemical-structural properties. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 2020, 103(1): 558–568

[37] Weber W J , Ewing R C , Wang L M . The radiation-induced crystalline-to-amorphous transition in zircon. Journal of Materials Research, 1994, 9(3): 688–698

[38] Weber W J , Ewing R C , Catlow C R A , De La Rubia T D , Hobbs L W , Kinoshita C , Matzke H , Motta A T , Nastasi M , Salje E K H . . Radiation effects in crystalline ceramics for the immobilization of high-level nuclear waste and plutonium. Journal of Materials Research, 1998, 13(6): 1434–1484

[39] Wang S X , Wang L M , Ewing R C . Irradiation-induced amorphization: Effects of temperature, ion mass, cascade size, and dose rate. Physical Review B: Condensed Matter, 2000, 63(2): 024105

[40] Le Pape Y , Sanahuja J , Alsaid M H F . Irradiation-induced damage in concrete-forming aggregates: Revisiting literature data through micromechanics. Materials and Structures, 2020, 53(3): 62

[41] Elleuch L F , Dubois F , Rappeneau J . Effects of neutron radiation on special concretes and their components. ACI Special Publications, 1972, 34: 1071–1108

[42] AlexanderMMindessS. Aggregates in Concrete. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2005

[43] BažantZ PKaplanM F. Concrete at High Temperatures: Material Properties and Mathematical Models. London: Addison-Wesley, 1996

[44] LeeJ. Experimental studies and theoretical modeling of concrete subjected to high temperatures. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Boulder: University of Colorado at Boulder, 2006

[45] Vandamme M , Ulm F J . Nanogranular origin of concrete creep. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2009, 106(26): 10552–10557

[46] Constantinides G , Ulm F J . The effect of two types of CSH on the elasticity of cement-based materials: Results from nanoindentation and micromechanical modeling. Cement and Concrete Research, 2004, 34(1): 67–80

[47] Monteiro P J M , Chang C T . The elastic moduli of calcium hydroxide. Cement and Concrete Research, 1995, 25(8): 1605–1609

[48] Speziale S , Jiang F , Mao Z , Monteiro P J M , Wenk H R , Duffy T S , Schilling F R . Single-crystal elastic constants of natural ettringite. Cement and Concrete Research, 2008, 38(7): 885–889

[49] Zohdi T I , Monteiro P J M , Lamour V . Extraction of elastic moduli from granular compacts. International Journal of Fracture, 2002, 115: 49–54

[50] Jenabidehkordi A . Computational methods for fracture in rock: A review and recent advances. Frontiers of Structural and Civil Engineering, 2019, 13(2): 273–287

[51] BiwerBMaDXiYJingY. Review of Radiation-Induced Concrete Degradation and Potential Implications for Structures Exposed to High Long-Term Radiation Levels in Nuclear Power Plants (NUREG/CR-7280, ANL/EVS-20/8). Washington, DC: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 2020

[52] WilliamKXiYNausD. A Review of the Effects of Radiation on Microstructure and Properties of Concretes Used in Nuclear Power Plants (NUREG/CR-7171). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 2013

[53] Eskandari-Ghadi M , Xi Y , Sture S . Cross-property relations between mechanical and transport properties of composite materials. Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 2014, 140(7): 06014006

[54] Xi Y , Eskandari-Ghadi M , Suwito S , Sture S . Damage theory based on composite mechanics. Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 2006, 132(11): 1195–1204

[55] Ren H , Rabczuk T , Zhuang X . Variational damage model: A new paradigm for fractures. Frontiers of Structural and Civil Engineering, 2025, 19(1): 1–21

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Author(s). This article is published with open access at link.springer.com and journal.hep.com.cn