Theses and Dissertations Collection

An emerging issue for renewable nuclear energy is correct storage of spent nuclear fuel. Current practice of long term storage of radioactive waste requires highly durable concrete containment units. The overall strength of concrete and the amount of protection it offers its rebar reinforcement is dependent upon the concrete's microstructure. If the microstructure is easily permeated by moisture, allowing chloride ion diffusion, the steel rebar is at risk of corrosion. Upon corrosion of the reinforcement steel, a concrete structures service life begins to decline.

Therefore, glycerol as a nanoscale viscosity modifier will be used to control transport phenomena in the conductive pathways. Increasing the moisture viscosity within pore pathways effectively slows diffusion of chloride ions through concrete. This study examines admixture effect on moisture transport phenomena (permeability) through the concretes conductive pathways (concrete pores). Simultaneously, glycerol admixtures effect on embedded reinforcement steel corrosion was characterized. Permeability was measured using direct measurement techniques while effect of glycerol on rebar corrosion was electrochemically analyzed.