Monitoring and modeling for radon entry into basements: A status report for the small structures project
The approach, status, and initial findings of a research project on radon transport through soil and entry into buildings are described. We have constructed two room-size precisely-fabricated basements at a site with relatively homogeneous soil. The structures have adjustable-size openings to the soil, are otherwise very air-tight, and are mechanically ventilated using a system that also controls the indoor-outdoor pressure difference. Numerous probes have been installed in the soil surrounding the structures to permit multipoint measurement of soil moisture content, soil temperature, permeability of soil to air, soil-gas pressure and radon concentration. State-of-the-art instrumentation is being installed for real-time monitoring of these parameters plus structure ventilation rate, indoor and entering soil-gas radon concentrations, and meteorologic parameters for a period of at least one year. Many of the factors that control or influence radon entry will be modified intentionally or by changes in environmental parameters during the course of the measurements. We have found it necessary to design and fabricate a new type of probe for more accurate measurements of soil permeability. We have also verified and improved procedures for more accurate, rapid, multipoint measurements of radon concentrations using a continuous radon monitor. Identical structures, with the same instrumentation, will be constructed at additional sites with difference soil characteristics and climates. Core samples of the soil from each site are analyzed to determine density, porosity, permeability, radium content, and radon emmanation coefficient. The research project also includes steady-state and transient numerical modeling efforts that complement the experimental research and that will use the experimental data for model validation. 32 refs., 12 figs., 5 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/CE; DOE/ER
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 5653444
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-27692; CONF-8909250-1; ON: DE90002456
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Radon contractors conference, Fort Collins, CO (USA), 20-22 Sep 1989
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Radon entry into basements: Approach, experimental structures, and instrumentation of the small structures research project
Analytical and numerical models for estimating the effect of exhaust ventilation on radon entry in houses with basements or crawl spaces
Related Subjects
RADIUM
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADON 222
SOILS
EVALUATION
BASEMENTS
DENSITY
DESIGN
DRILL CORES
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PERMEABILITY
POROSITY
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
VALIDATION
VENTILATION
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BUILDINGS
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
METALS
NUCLEI
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIOISOTOPES
RADON ISOTOPES
TESTING
320107* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Building Systems- (1987-)