The Application of DIC to Detect Potential Onset of Micro-cracking in the Concrete Buffer of the Supercontainer

Lou Areias, Hugo Sol, Gu Jun, Lincy Pyl, Philippe Van Marcke, Erik Coppens, Jan Verstricht, Loïc Villers, Alain Van Cotthem

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    The Supercontainer is the Belgian reference concept for the packaging of vitrified high-level radioactive waste (HLW) and spent fuel. In a previous test performed to evaluate its construction feasibility, micro-cracks developed on the surface of the concrete buffer. The surficial nature of the micro-cracks should neither jeopardize the functionality nor the safety of the Supercontainer. However, through-going cracks should be avoided as they can create preferential pathways for the migration of aggressive species. This paper presents the results of a test performed to evaluate the suitability of using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) to detect the onset of micro-cracking in the concrete buffer. Preliminary tests showed that the DIC method can measure micro-cracks with a crack opening resolution of approximately 12.5 microns, which is sufficiently small to detect the formation of potential micro-cracks in the concrete buffer of the Supercontainer.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationMonitoring in Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste: Objectives, Strategies, Technologies and Public Involvement. Proceedings of an International Conference and Workshop
    Place of PublicationBelgium
    Pages189-193
    StatePublished - Mar 2013
    EventInternational Conference and Workshop "Monitoring in Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste: Objectives, Strategies, Technologies and Public Involvement" - European Commission and OECD, Luxembourg
    Duration: 19 Mar 201321 Mar 2013

    Conference

    ConferenceInternational Conference and Workshop "Monitoring in Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste: Objectives, Strategies, Technologies and Public Involvement"
    Country/TerritoryLuxembourg
    CityLuxembourg
    Period2013-03-192013-03-21

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