Effect of Neutron Irradiation on Beam-Column Interaction of Reinforced Concrete

Age-related effects on such RC structures have been extensively studied in detail. However, the effect of neutron irradiation requires further studies from its limited database. Most of RC structures have been regarded as sound as the neutron fluence below 1.0x10¹⁹ n/cm². The reduction of strength is not considered in a periodic inspection program at aging NPPs. However, RC structures, such as biological shields and supports for a reactor vessel, could be exposed to see the critical level of neutron fluence at years of operation. In this regard, beam-column interaction of a typical RC member is numerically investigated as a result of neutron irradiation. The effect of neutron irradiation on beam-column interaction is evaluated. ACI318 requires the strength reduction factor, ϕ=0.70, for the compression controlled area and the higher up to 0.9 as the tensile strain in steel reinforcement goes higher. This concept works well with this example. However, this does not take into account the energy dissipation capacity of the member but it only expresses the ultimate strength. Therefore, the current strength evaluation concept may be misleading when the material behavior of steel reinforcement becomes brittle due to the neutron irradiation. In such case, even for the transient and tension controlled area, the strength reduction factor needs to be modified to account for the potential ductility loss