Filtern
Dokumenttyp
- Vortrag (11)
- Zeitschriftenartikel (6)
- Beitrag zu einem Tagungsband (5)
- Posterpräsentation (5)
Schlagworte
- SealWasteSafe (12)
- Monitoring (10)
- Ultrasound (9)
- Engineered barrier systems (5)
- Imaging (5)
- Ultraschall (5)
- Ultrasonic imaging (4)
- Verschlussbauwerke (4)
- Abbildungsverfahren (3)
- Borehole (3)
Organisationseinheit der BAM
- 8.2 Zerstörungsfreie Prüfmethoden für das Bauwesen (27) (entfernen)
Eingeladener Vortrag
- nein (11)
Für die sichere Endlagerung nuklearer Abfälle sind im Salzgestein Verschlussbauwerke aus Salzbeton als geotechnischen Barrieren vorgesehen. Um die Integrität der Bauwerke im Rahmen einer Qualitätssicherung nachzuweisen, eignet sich eine zerstörungsfreie Prüfung (ZfP) mit Ultraschall-Verfahren. Potenziell auftretende Risse oder Ablösungen sowie Einbauteile können detektiert werden. Um die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der Ultraschall-Echo-Messungen sowie der Auswertemethoden zu untersuchen, wurden in einem aus Spritzbeton hergestellten Testbauwerk in der Grube Teutschenthal (bei Halle, Deutschland) verschiedene Störkörper während der Betonage eingebettet. Die Störkörper (Breite 3 cm bis ~8 cm) liegen in Tiefen von etwa 30 cm bis 80 cm und repräsentieren Hohlräume, Risse oder Inhomogenitäten des Betons. Von der Oberfläche führten wir Ultraschall-Echo-Messungen auf einer Fläche von etwa 100x150 cm² in einem 3D Modus durch. Die Auswertung erfolgte zunächst mithilfe der in der ZfP etablierten Synthetic-Aperture-Focusing Technique (SAFT), die der Kirchhoff Migration ähnelt. Insgesamt wird eine Vielzahl von Reflektoren im Bauwerk abgebildet, die jedoch nur in wenigen Fällen den eingebauten Störkörpern zugeordnet werden konnten, so dass auch die Grenzen des Verfahrens bei dieser Bauweise deutlich werden. Allerdings konnte eine ungeplante großflächige (>30 cm) Ablösung nachgewiesen und durch anschließende Bohrungen verifiziert werden. Um das strukturelle Abbild des Bauwerksinneren trotz des stark streuenden Spritzbetons zu verbessern, wenden wir fokussierende Migrationsverfahren an. Erste Ergebnisse zeigen, dass eine klarere Abbildung einzelner Reflektoren erreicht werden kann. Dies erleichtert die Detektion einzelner Objekte. Das hier präsentierte Experiment mit bekannten Reflektoren unter realen Bedingungen mit Spritzbeton unter Tage bietet hervorragende Möglichkeiten zur Überprüfung von methodischen Weiterentwicklungen im Bereich der Ultraschallanalyse. Durch die Verbesserung der Auswertemethodik und der darauf basierenden ultraschallbasierten Qualitätssicherungskonzepte werden insgesamt sicherere Verschlussbauwerke für nukleare Endlager ermöglicht.
Engineering barrier systems are a crucial part of the safe underground disposal of radioactive waste, particularly in salt as a host rock. Sealing structures made of tailored concrete are under test at various sites in Germany. To characterise the material properties of the concrete and potentially also the bonding to the host rock as part of the necessary subsurface structures, we apply non-destructive testing making use of advanced geophysical imaging methods.
Ultrasonic investigations have been carried out at underground concrete structures in the Teutschenthal mine in Germany. Here, we show results from two distinct constructions produced in a shotcrete procedure. Our goal is to analyse the performance of ultrasonics to be used as quality assurance for sealing structures made from shotcrete. First, a ~10 m long shotcrete structure is investigated with the help of a unique Large Aperture Ultrasonic System (LAUS) allowing for depth penetration of > 9 m. We perform measurements at the front and from the side of the construction. Second, we obtain results from a 1 m thick shotcrete body containing several artificial defects (width up to 8 cm). Ultrasonic testing data were acquired using a commercial multi-static device. Additionally, a new device measuring with 3D mode instead of line mode is applied and preliminary results will be shown.
Generally, the acquired ultrasonic data are analysed by the Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique that is commonly applied in non-destructive testing. As a result, reflectors in the analysed shotcrete structures are imaged. Individual reflections from internal features and particularly the opposite wall are identified. An unexpected delamination wider than 30 cm is clearly imaged and later verified by boreholes. Thus, the method is – in general – suitable to serve as a quality measure. However, particularly the small and deep artificial defects can hardly be identified in the resulting images. Thus, we use advanced geophysical imaging methods to further enhance the quality of the obtained images. The recorded ultrasonic energy is focused to the physically reflective origin in the analysed volume. First results clearly show that we successfully improve the image quality regarding noise level and artifacts and hence facilitate the detection of objects.
In total, we present a valuable experiment under realistic conditions for underground sealing structures made from shotcrete, where the locations of artificial reflectors are partly known. This experiment serves as a unique basis to analyse the performance of advanced analysis methods to obtain high-quality images of the structure’s interior. Hence, the developed ultrasonic testing and analysis schemes can serve as a part of quality assurance that will help to enable safe sealing structures for nuclear waste disposal.
Ultrasonic echo testing is a well-established non-destructive testing technique used to investigate the interior of concrete structures in civil engineering. For the reconstruction of internal features, methods similar to seismic imaging are applied. To improve the ultrasonic imaging capabilities, we investigate the potential of a newly available 3D matrix mode measurement device in combination with advanced imaging techniques.
Commonly used ultrasonic array measurement devices rely on several ultrasonic transducers coupled to act as one transducer that transmits or receives transversal ultrasound waves. Although this approach is well suited to detect elongated structures such as pipes and rebars, it has limitations if 3D embedded objects are present. Hence, the ultrasonic device MiraA1040Pro used here is designed to measure the ultrasonic wavefield on a 4 by 16 matrix of individual transducers. For testing, we used laboratory specimens with linear and spheric embedded structures first. Both linear and matrix mode measurements were conducted and analysed using the Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique
(SAFT) which is similar to Kirchhoff migration. Second, we used a data set from Teutschenthal mine at a shotcrete specimen constructed to simulate engineered barriers tailored for nuclear waste repositories. Ultrasonic measurements were investigated as a tool for quality assurance of these structures. The specimen contains both artificial 3D artifacts as well as naturally occurring defects such as a delamination. To make use of the advanced data acquisition, focusing 3D imaging techniques are applied to further improve the imaging quality.
Generally, the reconstructed images from the 3D matrix mode data have a lower level of Signal-to-Noise-Ratio than the 2D linear mode because the source signal is weaker compared to the linear mode. Moreover, complex wave conversions of the SH-transversal wave occur that are reduced in the 2D linear scenario. However, clearer images can be achieved at non-linear features, particularly with focusing imaging methods. Thus, combining 3D data acquisition techniques with advanced imaging methods improves the success in imaging complex concrete structures. This is of particular interest for thick concrete structures in nuclear barrier systems or foundations. Additionally, we demonstrate opportunities to use well-constrained test laboratory scenarios from non-destructive testing as a practical test case for geophysical methods.
Within the project SealWasteSafe, we advance construction materials and monitoring concepts of sealing structures applied for underground disposal of nuclear or toxic waste. As these engineered barriers have high demands concerning integrity, an innovative alkali-activated material (AAM) is improved and tested on various laboratory scales. This AAM has low reaction kinetics related to a preferential slow release of the heat of reaction in comparison to alternative salt concretes based on Portland cement or magnesium oxychloride cements. Hence, crack formation due to thermally induced strain is reduced. After successful laboratory scale analysis (Sturm et al., 2021), the AAM is characterised on a larger scale by manufacturing test specimens (100–300 L).
Conventional salt concrete (DBE, 2004) and the newly developed AAM are compared using two specimen geometries, i.e. cylindrical and cuboid. A comprehensive multisensor monitoring scheme is developed to compare the setting process of AAM and salt concrete for these manufactured specimens. The analysed parameters include temperature and humidity of the material, acoustic emissions, and strain variations. Passive sensor systems based on radiofrequency identification technology (RFID) embedded in the concrete, enable wireless access to temperature and humidity measurements and are compared to conventional cabled systems. Additionally, fibre-optic sensors (FOS) are embedded to record strain, but also have potential to record temperature and moisture conditions. Part of this project aims at demonstrating the high reliability of sensors and also their resistance to highly alkaline environments and to water intrusion along cables or at sensor locations. Further technical improvements were implemented so that first results clearly show the scalability of the setting process from previous small-scale AAM experiments and particularly the high potential of the newly developed approaches.
Furthermore, ultrasonic methods are used for quality assurance to detect obstacles, potential cracks and delamination. On the one hand, both active and passive ultrasonic measurements complement the results obtained from the multisensor monitoring scheme for the produced specimens. On the other hand, the unique large aperture ultrasonic system (LAUS) provides great depth penetration (up to nearly 10 m) and can thus be applied at in situ sealing structures built as a test site in Morsleben by the Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung, BGE) as shown by Effner et al. (2021). An optimised field lay-out identified from forward modelling studies and advanced imaging techniques applied to the measured data will further improve the obtained results. To characterise the inside of the test engineered barrier and achieve a proof-of-concept, an ultrasonic borehole probe is developed to enable phased arrays that can further improve the detection of potential cracks. Modelling results and first analysis of semispherical specimens confirmed the reliability of the directional response caused by the phased arrays of the newly constructed ultrasonic borehole probe.
Overall, the project SealWasteSafe improves the construction material, multisensor monitoring concepts and ultrasonics for quality assurance. This will help to develop safe sealing structures for nuclear waste disposal. The outcomes are particularly valuable for salt as a host rock but partly also transferrable to alternative conditions.
The project "SealWasteSafe" of the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (Berlin) deals with sealing structures applied for underground disposal of nuclear waste from two perspectives: material improvement for application in sealing constructions and feasibility study regarding multi-sensor approaches to ensure quality assurance and long-term monitoring.
One specimen of 150 l made of alkali-activated material, which was found innovative and suitable for sealing constructions based on preliminary laboratory studies, and another one made of conventional salt concrete, are manufactured with an integrated multi-sensory setup for quality assurance and long-term-monitoring. The specimens were left in their cast form and additionally thermally insulated to simulate the situation in the repository. The multi-sensory concept comprises RFID technology embedded in the specimens suppling material temperature and moisture measurements, integrated distributed fibre optic sensing allowing strain measurement and acoustic emission testing for monitoring crack formation. Overall, the suitability and the functionality of the sensors embedded into and attached to strongly alkaline (pH > 13 for the AAM) and salt corrosive (NaCl) environment was proven for the first 672 h.
First RFID measurement succeeded after 626 h for the alkali-activated material and after 192 h for the conventional salt concrete. Strain measurement based on fibre optic sensing turned out the alkali-activated material (> 1 mm/m) undergoing approximately twice the compression strain as the salt concrete (< 0.5 mm/m). In contrast, the acoustic emission first and single hits representing crack formation in numbers, was found for alkali-activated material half of that detected at the salt concrete.
New materials and innovative monitoring for safe sealing structures in underground repositories
(2022)
Within the project SealWasteSafe, we advance construction materials and monitoring concepts of sealing structures applied for underground disposal of nuclear waste. As these engineered barriers have high demands concerning integrity, an innovative alkali-activated material (AAM) is improved and tested on various laboratory scales that is highly suitable for the application in salt as a host rock. This AAM has a low reaction kinetics related to a preferential slow release of the heat of reaction in comparison to alternative salt concretes based on Portland cement or magnesium oxychloride cements. Hence, crack formation due to thermally induced strain is reduced. A comprehensive multi-sensory monitoring scheme is developed and investigated to compare the setting process of AAM and salt concrete for manufactured specimens (100-300 l). The analysed parameters include temperature and humidity of the material, acoustic emissions, and strain variations recorded by fiber optic cables. Passive sensor systems based on radiofrequency identification technology (RFID) embedded in the concrete allow for wireless access and are compared to conventional cabled systems for temperature and humidity measurements. Furthermore, ultrasonic methods are used for quality assurance to detect obstacles, potential cracks and delamination. Field layout and applied imaging techniques are optimised to enhance the image quality. To characterise the inside of the test engineered barrier and achieve a proof-of-concept, an ultrasonic borehole probe is developed to allow for phased arrays that can further improve the detection of potential cracks. Modelling results and first analysis of half-spherical specimen prove the reliability of the directional response caused by the phased arrays of the newly constructed ultrasonic borehole probe. Overall, the project SealWasteSafe improves the construction material, multi-sensory monitoring concepts and ultrasonics for quality assurance. Particularly for salt as a host rock, this will help to develop safe sealing structures for nuclear waste disposal.
Multifaceted developments for pre-disposal management of low and intermediate level radioactive waste are undertaken in the EC funded project PREDIS. In work package 7, innovations in cemented waste handling and pre-disposal storage are advanced by testing and evaluating. To provide better means for safe and effective monitoring of cemented waste packages including prediction tools to assess the future integrity development during pre-disposal activities, several monitoring and digital tools are evaluated and improved. Both safety enhancement (e. g. less exposure of testing personnel) and cost effectiveness are part of the intended impact. Current methods to pack, store, and monitor cemented wastes are identified, analysed and improved. Innovative integrity testing and monitoring techniques applied to evaluate and demonstrate package and storage quality assurance are further developed. The work includes but is not limited to inspection methods such as muon imaging, wireless sensors integrated into waste packages as well as external package and facility monitoring such as remote fiber optical sensors. The sensors applied will go beyond radiation monitoring and include proxy parameters important for long term integrity assessment (e. g. internal pressure). The measured data will be used in digital twins of the packages for specific simulations (geochemical, integrity) providing a prediction of future behaviour. Machine Learning techniques trained by the characterization of older packages will help to connect the models to the actual data. As data handling, processing and fusion are crucial for both the monitoring and the digital twin model, all data (measured and simulated) will be collected in a joint data base and connected to a decision framework. Finally, the implementation of the improved techniques will be tested at actual facilities. An overview about various relevant tools, their interconnections, and first research results will be shown.