Characterization of cement-based ancient building materials in support of repository seal materials studies
Ancient mortars and plasters collected from Greek and Cypriot structures dating to about 5500 BC have been investigated because of their remarkable durability. The characteristics and performance of these and other ancient cementitious materials have been considered in the light of providing information on longevity of concrete materials for sealing nuclear waste geological repositories. The matrices of these composite materials have been characterized and classified into four categories: (1) gypsum cements; (2) hydraulic hydrated lime and hydrated-lime cements; (3) hydraulic aluminous and ferruginous hydrated-lime cements (+- siliceous components); and (4) pozzolana/hydrated-lime cements. Most of the materials investigated, including linings of ore-washing basins and cisterns used to hold water, are in categories (2) and (3). The aggregates used included carbonates, sandstones, shales, schists, volcanic and pyroclastic rocks, and ore minerals, many of which represent host rock types of stratigraphic components of a salt repository. Numerous methods were used to characterize the materials chemically, mineralogically, and microstructurally and to elucidate aspects of both the technology that produced them and their response to the environmental exposure throughout their centuries of existence. Their remarkable properties are the result of a combination of chemical (mineralogical) and microstructural factors. Durability was found to be affected by matrix mineralogy, particle size and porosity, and aggregate type, grading, and proportioning, as well as method of placement and exposure conditions. Similar factors govern the potential for durability of modern portland cement-containing materials, which are candidates for repository sealing. 29 references, 29 figures, 6 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA). Materials Research Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-83CH10140
- OSTI ID:
- 5195075
- Report Number(s):
- BMI/ONWI-523; ON: DE84010105
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360302 -- Composite Materials-- Structure & Phase Studies-- (-1987)
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
BUILDING MATERIALS
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM OXIDES
CALCIUM SULFATES
CEMENTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COHERENT SCATTERING
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DATA
DIFFRACTION
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GYPSUM
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
IGNEOUS ROCKS
INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MICROSCOPY
MICROSTRUCTURE
MINERALOGY
MINERALS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUMERICAL DATA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLE SIZE
POROSITY
QUALITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SCATTERING
SEALING MATERIALS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SHALES
SIZE
SULFATE MINERALS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
VOLCANIC ROCKS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
X-RAY DIFFRACTION