Radioactive carbon, C-14, can be generated by the neutron capture reaction of O-17 during the nuclear power plant operation. Since C-14 is classified as an intermediate level waste radionuclide, it is required that an effective separation process for C-14. C-14 is mainly absorbed on activated carbon in the air cleanup system. Therefore, the main generation source of C-14 during the nuclear power plant decommissioning is spent activated carbon. KAERI has been developing the treatment of spent activated carbon. In this process, C-14 can be desorbed as a gaseous oxide form from the spent activated carbon at high-temperature vacuum conditions. This radioactive carbon dioxide can be captured into alkaline earth metal incorporated glass and can be transformed into carbonate form. However, the carbonate (e.g. CaCO3 and SrCO3) is dispersive. When the radioactive carbonates are disposed into a geological repository, they should be immobilized to remove future uncertainty. This study examined the stabilization/immobilization of the radioactive carbonates by the cement hydration process. Cement wasteform incorporated with calcium carbonate and strontium carbonate was produced under various waste loading (e.g. 20wt%, 40wt%, and 60wt% of CaCO3 and SrCO3, respectively). Then we evaluated mechanical and chemical durability by measuring compressive strength and leachability according to standard test methods specified in the waste acceptance criteria of the Gyeongju low and intermediate level waste repository (WAC-SIL-2022-1). Also, microstructure and thermal characteristics were investigated by SEM-EDS and TGA analysis.

Magnesium potassium phosphate cements (MKPCs) are prepared by the acid-base reaction of dead burned magnesia (MgO) and monopotassium phosphate (KH2PO4). Low-pH cementitious materials such as MKPCs are currently of interest for the geological disposal of nuclear waste. MKPCs have advantages such as high early strength, high bonding strength, small drying shrinkage, low permeability, and high sulfate resistance. According to the results of previous studies, it is known that cesium, strontium, and cobalt are immobilized in the form of MgCsxK1−xPO4·6H2O, MgxSr1−xKPO4·6H2O, and Co3(PO4)2, respectively, in MKPCs. However, these results were predicted based on thermodynamic data, not directly observed precipitates to clearly show the evidence. Therefore, in this study, we directly analyzed the immobilized forms of Cs, Sr, and Co, respectively. CsNO3, Sr(NO3)2, and Co(NO3)2·6H2O powders (0.3 mol each) were mixed individually in each of the MKPC suspensions. The suspensions in which KH2PO4 was dissolved were pH 4.3 and the dissolution of MgO decreased the H+ concentration, raising the pH close to 11. The hydration products according to pH evolution in the MKPC suspensions were analyzed, and the change in the concentration of ions in the aqueous solution was also measured. An aqueous solution was obtained using a syringe filter (0.45 μm) to analyze the ion concentrations in the solution of the suspension. The collected solutions were diluted with nitric acid and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. To characterize the solid phases, the suspensions were obtained with a pipette at specific times and filtered under a vacuum in a Buchner funnel. Because the amounts of hydration products including Cs, Sr, and Co were small, it was not observed by XRD and TGA analysis, but their components could be analyzed by SEM-EDS. The final precipitate forms of Cs, Sr, and Co in the MKPC matrix are MgCsPO4·6H2O, SrHPO4, and Co3(PO4)2·8H2O, respectively.

Low-and intermediate level waste (LILW) should be solidified and satisfy the waste acceptance criteria (WAC) to be disposed of in the LILW repository. The LILW should be uniformly solidified and should maintain its structural stability under the expected condition according to the WAC. Compressive strength of cement solidified waste should satisfy at least 3.44 MPa to be disposed of in the repository. In addition, its compressive strength should satisfy at least 3.44 MPa after the irradiation, immersion and leaching test. The compressive strength test and dimension of test specimen differ according to countries. However, measured compressive strength of solidified waste is affected by geometry of specimen and test condition. Diameter, ratio between diameter and height, and porosity are one of factors that affect to the compressive strength of cement solidified waste. Generally, specimen with larger diameter shows higher value of measured compressive strength. The ratio of height and diameter shows similar tendency to the diameter while larger porosity generally lowers the compressive strength. In other hands, higher compressive strength is expected when the loading rate is higher during the compressive strength test. U.S. is applying loading rate from ASTM C39 (0.25±0.05 MPa) for the compressive strength test while Korea is applying loading rate from KS F 2405 (0.6 MPa·s−1). France applies loading rate following FT-02-010 (0.5 MPa·s−1) for cement solidified waste. As the measured compressive strength increases when the loading rate increases, the effect of loading rate to the compressive strength of cement solidified waste should be assessed by quantification and consider its effect on the sight of regulation. In this study, the effect of geometric parameters of specimen and test condition to the compressive strength are checked by manufacturing specimen by solidifying mock sludge waste with cement. To prevent increasing amount of secondary waste, effects of ratio of height and diameter and porosity to the compressive strength are checked while diameter value is fixed. For loading rate, loading rate from ASTM C39 and KS F 2405 were compared. Existence of significant variance of measured compressive strengths of cement solidified waste are check by performing statistical analysis. Finally, by analyzing the relationship between test condition and measured compressive strength, the test method that measures the compressive strength conservatively is aimed to be derived.

Numerous low-and intermediate level radioactive wastes were generated from the decommissioning processes of nuclear power plants. Radionuclides such as Co and Cs contained in decommissioning wastes should be immobilized to prevent the release of radionuclides from the wastes due to its harmful impacts on ecosystem by high radioactivity and long half-life. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) used as decontamination agent can be contained in cement waste during decommissioning process of nuclear power plants. In addition, EDTA can be stably and strongly bound with radionuclides, resulting in the acceleration of the nuclide release from solidified cement matrix. Here, we investigated the effects of EDTA on leaching behaviors of Co and Cs immobilized in the cement specimen. The leaching tests were performed according to the ANS 16.1 “Measurement of the leachability of solidified low-level radioactive wastes by a short-term test procedure”. From the results, an increase in the EDTA content in the cement specimen led to an increase in Co leaching, whereas a decrease in Cs leaching. Leaching of Cs was dominantly controlled by diffusion from the pore space of the cement specimen to the solution. The effective diffusion coefficient and leachability index of nuclide were determined using the diffusion-release models of ANS 16.1. The results of present study can be used in the safety assessment for disposal of the radioactive waste generated by decommissioning of nuclear power plants.

현대에 있어 지구온난화 현상으로 인해 여름철에는 폭염, 겨울에는 한파가 빈번해지는 이상기후가 지속적으로 발생 하고 있다. 여름철과 겨울철의 기온 양극화가 심해지고 있으며 이로 인한 급격한 변화로 다양한 분야에서 문제가 발생하고 있 다. 이에 전 세계에서는 사고예방 및 근본적인 문제를 해결하기 위하여 새로운 기술을 도입하고, 이에 맞는 정책을 추진하고 있 다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 이러한 사회적인 문제를 극복할 수 있는 방안으로 구조물 및 건축물등 다양한 분야에서 가장 많이 사용되는 골재인 잔골재에 대하여 다공성 골재로 치환함과 동시에 열에너지 저장이 가능한 상변화 물질을 함침하고, 골재 내 PCM의 성능 극대화를 위한 SOL-GEL 코팅에 대해 연구하였으며 이를 활용하여 모르타르를 제작하였다. 성능을 확인하기 위하 여 SEM, DSC, FT-IR 및 강도실험을 진행하였으며 최종적으로 제조된 SOL-GEL코팅된 PCM 함침 활성탄의 경우 냉각시 상변화 온도 2.4℃와 26.8J/g의 열에너지를 확인하였으며 가열시 상변화 온도 7.1℃와 32.95J/g의 열에너지를 확인하였다. 본 연구에서 제작된 잔골재를 활용한 모르타르의 경우 7일차 압축강도 37.68MPa, 28일차 압축강도 50.34MPa, 28일차 휨강도 4.5MPa를 확인 하였다.

PURPOSES : Recently, the generation of industrial by-products has been increased owing to the increase in electrical power consumption. This experimental study investigated a special mortar development using outstanding benefits of porous structures in heavy oil fly ash (HOFA) and bottom ash (BA) to reduce heat transfer and weight of tunnel repair mortar. METHODS : Based on the concept of materials usable for this objective being porous and light, the physical and chemical properties of heavy oil fly ash and bottom ash were analyzed to determine the application possibility for tunnel repair mortar. In addition to satisfying this primary requirement, the research aimed at determining the relationships between the characteristics of porous structures and effectiveness of reducing weight and thermal conductivity. This study was undertaken on the use of bottom ash as fine aggregate and heavy oil ash as filler in mortar mix proportion. Four different levels of bottom ash (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, and 5%), and 10%, 15%, and 20% of heavy oil fly ash were investigated to determine the proper replacement amount within the designed specification. According to the analytic results on the effectiveness of both by-products and chemical additives, the repair mortar with optimum mixture proportion was investigated using various tests including thermal conductivity and porosity. RESULTS : The use of porous by-products increased the demand for mixing water in obtaining the required flowability, but the compressive strength did not decrease significantly in proportion by adding an amount of bottom ash. Based on the results, bottom ash can be replaced with aggregate as much as 50%, but adding an amount of heavy oil ash is suggested as below 10% in formulation. CONCLUSIONS : The optimized repair mortar, which was produced by conclusive formulation, was evaluated as a high-performance material to repair tunnels with the effectiveness of porous and remarkable physical properties.

The decommissioning of a nuclear power plant generates large amounts of radioactive waste, which is of several types. Radioactive concrete powder is classified as low-level waste, which can be disposed of in a landfill. However, its safe disposal in a landfill requires that it be immobilized by solidification using cement. Herein, a safety assessment on the disposal of solidified radioactive concrete powder waste in a conceptual landfill site is performed using RESRAD. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses of certain selected input parameters are conducted to investigate their impact on exposure doses. The exposure doses are estimated, and the relative impact of each pathway on them during the disposal of this waste is assessed. The results of this study can be used to obtain information for designing a landfill site for the safe disposal of low-level radioactive waste generated from the decommissioning of a nuclear power plant.

Fly ash is a by-product of coal fired electrical power plants and used as a material for cement and concrete; particularly, imported fly ash is mainly applied for cement production. Main objectives of this article are to replace domestic fly ash with an imported source. To verify the possibility of domestic fly ash as a material for cement from the aspect of chemical composition and physical properties, we manufactured various kinds of cement, such as using only natural raw material, shale, and partial replacement with domestic and imported fly ash. When we used the domestic and imported fly ash, there were no specific problems in terms of clinker synthesis or cement manufacturing in relation to the natural material, shale. In conclusion, domestic fly ash has been confirmed as an alternative raw material for cement because 7 days and 28 days compressive strength values were better than those of reference cement using natural raw material, on top of the process issue.

When luting indirect restorations with dual-cure resin cement (DCRC), excess cement can be easily removed by performing tack cure of DCRC for a few seconds. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether different tack cure times affect polymerization shrinkage (PS) of the selected DCRC. One dual-cure resin cement (G-CEM LinkAce, GC) was used for measuring PS in light-cure (LC group), self-cure (SC group), and two tack-cure modes. In the first tack-cure subgroup, tack cure was performed for 1, 2, 3, and 5 seconds, followed by light cure after 2 minutes of remnant removal time in each case (TC-LC groups). In the other tack-cure subgroup, tack cure was performed for the same lengths of time, but followed by self-cure in each case (TC-SC groups). PS was measured by a modified bonded disc method for 1,800 seconds. One-way analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s post hoc test was used to determine any statistically significant differences among the test groups (α = 0.05). When the DCRC was selfcured after tack cure, PS was significantly lower than when it was only self-cured (p < 0.05); however, tack cure time did not affect PS (p > 0.05). When the DCRC was light-cured, PS was not affected by tack cure or tack cure time (p > 0.05). Therefore, tack cure within 5 seconds did not negatively affect the final PS when the DCRC was light-cured after cement remnant removal.

PURPOSES : The purpose of this study is to present a cross section suitable for low-traffic road pavement considering the environmental characteristics of Vietnam. METHODS : The behavior of the pavement with respect to the axial load was numerically analyzed using the nonlinear finite element method. The elastic-plastic material model was applied to material properties such as subgrade, sub-base layer, and base layer, and whether the material yielded was determined. In order to evaluate the adequacy of the cross section of the Vietnamese low-traffic pavement, it was compared with the KPRP Lv 3 road pavement section. And it was compared with the newly proposed MAST composite Pavement. The design life of each pavement section was calculated using the results obtained from the pavement structural analysis. RESULTS : The cross section of the Vietnamese low-traffic road pavement, KPRP lv3, MAST composite Type1 road pavement did not satisfy the design criteria for fatigue cracking and rutting. MAST composite Type2 was analyzed considering CTAB having 100mm and 150mm thickness and compressive strength of 5MPa, 10MPa, 15MPa and 20MPa, and all of them satisfied the design criteria. CONCLUSIONS : The low-traffic road pavement section in Vietnam currently used is judged to be inappropriate, and the MAST Composite type 2 proposed in this study is evaluated as an appropriate alternative. Further studies such as field application are needed in the future.

PURPOSES : The purpose of this study is to identify the dynamic behavior of a cement concrete paving machine (paver) by measuring its response using accelerometers. This is because the dynamic behavior of pavers affects the quality of data from various applications of IoT sensors, such as laser, ultrasonic, optical sensors and so on. Therefore, it is believed that the understanding of dynamic behaviors can contribute to the effective use of various IoT sensors for the acquisition of real-time quality control data in pavement construction. METHODS : Dynamic signals are obtained using accelerometer sensors to identify the dynamic characteristics of paving machines. The main parameters for acquiring dynamic signals are the status of the machine’s operating or standby conditions, and available locations for attaching various IoT sensors. Time domain data are logged at a particular sampling speed using a low-pass filter, subsequently, they are converted to digital data, which are analyzed on three rectangular axes. In addition frequency analysis is conducted on the measured data for identifying the peak frequencies, via FFT (Fast-Fourier-Transform) using MATLAB. RESULTS : The magnitude of the x-directional vibration is higher than that of any other direction under the paver’s operating or standby condition. However, signals from the smoother beam show that the z-directional vibration is more significant in the operating status. It means that the primary vibration depends on the location. Furthermore, the peak frequencies are quite various depending on the status of a paver and its sensing location. CONCLUSIONS : The magnitude of machine vibration and peak frequencies at each status or location are identified from time- and frequency-domain data. When using IoT sensors for quality control or monitoring pavements in construction, the dynamic characteristics of a paver should be considered to mitigate the interference of signals from the paver body or its elements.

PURPOSES : The actual service life of repair methods applied to cement concrete pavement is analyzed based on de-icing agent usage. METHODS : Highway PMS data pertaining to de-icing agent usage are classified into three grades: low (1~5 ton/lane/year), medium (5~8 ton/lane/year), and high (greater than 8 ton/lane/year). The repair methods considered include diamond grinding, patching, joint repair, partial depth repair, and asphalt overlay on five major highways. The service life of each repair method is analyzed based on the usage level of the de-icing agent. RESULTS : The service lives of the applied repair methods are much shorter than expected. It is confirmed that the service life afforded by diamond grinding, patching, and joint repair methods are not significantly affected by the use of de-icing agents, whereas that afforded by asphalt overlay and partial depth repair methods is affected significantly. The service life afforded by the asphalt overlay and partial depth repair methods decreases at high usage levels of the de-icing agent (greater than 8 ton/lane/year). CONCLUSIONS : Among the repair methods considered, the service life afforded by partial depth repair and asphalt overlay is affected significantly by the amount of de-icing agent used. Additionally, the differences between the expected and actual analyzed service lives should be considered in the next-generation maintenance strategy for cement concrete pavements.

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to evaluate the mechanical properties of ternary blended cement concrete incorporated with pulverized reject ash (PRA) or pulverized fuel ash (PFA) based on a comparison with those of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete. METHODS : To produce the concretes, the level of OPC replacement is set at 60%, which comprises 30%~45% ground granulate blast furnace slag and 15%~25% of fly ash (FA). The FA can be categorized into PFA, 4PRA (fineness 3,930 cm2/g3), and 8PRA (fineness 7,840 cm2/g3). The compressive strength, surface electric resistivity, initial absorption coefficient, and chloride ion penetrability of OPC and the ternary blended cement concrete are measured at predetermined periods after water curing. RESULTS : It is discovered that the mechanical properties of concrete with 8PRA are better than those of OPC concrete. The performance of 4PRA concrete is worse than that of 8PRA concrete, indicating that the fineness of the PRA can affect the mechanical properties of the ternary blended cement concrete. CONCLUSIONS : The use of PRA is feasible for the production of ternary blended cement concrete, provided that the appropriate mix design and grinding technology are used.