CX-270023: The Influences of Neutron Irradiation on Aggregate Induced Degradation of Concrete - University of California, Los Angeles

The University of California, Los Angeles, in collaboration with a National Lab, proposes to examine evolutions/manifestations of irradiation assisted aggregate (and concrete) degradation caused by neutron exposure.  Objectives of this research include 1) to quantify the impacts of damage cascades, caused by heavy ion bombardment, and their ability to induce aggregate amorphization, and volume changes in relation to the aggregate mineralogy, composition, and radiation dosage; 2) to correlate atomic-scale alterations and amorphization of aggregates, to the increase in their reactivity in high pH solvents at sub-boiling temperatures; and 3) to model the chemo-mechanical manifestations of aggregate dissolution and product precipitation in a microstructural reaction-transport environment which describes the evolution of concrete degradation.