Design of an Engineered Barrier System for radioactive wastes

What is it about?

A cementitious material as backfilling barrier is being considered for waste isolation in a disposal module which would then be emplaced in the disposal unit. The construction material of the module is also under evaluation and qualification.

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Why is it important?

Possible interaction of the barrier with the chemical environment of the Italian waste inventory has also been identified. This paper describes some of the experimental activity under way for the mix-design identification for the cementitious barrier, along with the results of the first campaign of material characterization. Different concretes and grouts were investigated with the main aim of assessing the long-term durability of these materials. Preliminary results indicate that crack-free and long-term durable concretes and grouts (300 years) can be manufactured even if exposed to aggressive environments. For the sake of brevity, in this paper the following characteristics only of the concretes will be considered: - compressive, flexural and tensile strength - carbonation tests - chloride diffusion.