Radiation Effects on Concrete Performance in Nuclear Systems

Concrete structures in nuclear facilities serve both structural and shielding roles by attenuating neutrons and gamma rays. Exposure to ionising radiation can induce atomic displacements, bond breakage and radiolytic reactions within cement paste and mineral aggregates. These processes may cause volumetric expansion, microcracking and alterations in pore structure, leading to reduced stiffness and strength, changes in permeability and enhanced chemical reactivity. The magnitude of damage depends on radiation type, energy spectrum, dose rate and aggregate mineralogy. Neutron irradiation often drives aggregate swelling through displacement damage, while gamma irradiation primarily affects cement hydration products and pore water. Over decades of operation, cumulative radiation effects can compromise the integrity of biological shields, containment walls and spent fuel storage, making accurate assessment and predictive modelling essential for long-term safety, ageing management and decommissioning strategies worldwide.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Direct experimental investigations have revealed that common aggregates respond differently to ion irradiation. Quartz exhibits severe atomic disordering, a roughly 15 % density loss and marked increases in chemical reactivity akin to amorphous silica, whereas calcite shows only minor structural distortions, about 9 % density reduction and negligible changes in dissolution rate. These contrasting behaviours are linked to the rigidity of the atomic network and the nature of chemical bonds, with ionic calcite networks better able to relax than covalent quartz. The findings highlight the critical role of aggregate selection in determining the long-term durability of nuclear concrete.

Radiation Effects on Concrete Performance in Nuclear Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in radiation effects on concrete performance in nuclear systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Radiation-induced volumetric expansion (RIVE): Increase in aggregate volume due to atomic displacements and defect accumulation under neutron irradiation.

Neutron fluence: Cumulative number of neutrons passing through a unit area, often expressed per square centimetre, influencing displacement damage in materials.

Gamma radiation dose: Energy deposited by photons per unit mass, measured in grays (Gy), affecting cement paste and pore water chemistry.

Young’s modulus: Measure of elastic stiffness, defined as the ratio of stress to strain in the linear deformation regime.

Microcracking: Formation of microscopic cracks within cement paste or at aggregate interfaces, which can coalesce and degrade mechanical performance.

References

1. A Review on Radiation Damage in Concrete for Nuclear Facilities: From Experiments to Modeling. Modelling and Simulation in Engineering (2016).
2. Direct Experimental Evidence for Differing Reactivity Alterations of Minerals following Irradiation: The Case of Calcite and Quartz. Scientific Reports (2016).
3. Silicon ion radiation as a viable surrogate for emulating neutron radiation damage in silicates. npj Materials Degradation (2024).
4. Effects of Gamma-Ray Irradiation on Hardened Cement Mortar. International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials (2021).
5. Irradiation-induced damage in concrete-forming aggregates: revisiting literature data through micromechanics. Materials and Structures (2020).