Durability design of heated concrete structures. Methodology and application to long-term interim storage

The operation of civil engineering structures subjected to thermal and mechanical loading has led the CEA to examine temperature-dependent variations in the concrete properties and the processes affecting the durability of these structures. A new approach has been undertaken to specify the thermal, hydraulic and mechanical history of these structures. This technical approach is based on three areas of research: material characterization, modelling to identify weaknesses in the structure and validation by experimental tests on heavily instrumented structures subjected to representative loads. The procedure adopted for long-term interim storage facilities can also be applied to other domains. (authors)