Physical properties of concrete under 3-years exposure to high temperatures up to 110degC

Concrete structural members in a storehouse of high level radioactive wastes are designed assuming that they may be subjected to elevated temperature for a long term. So, in this study, concrete properties under temperature conditions (between 65degC-temperature limitation specified in design and 110degC-vaporing temperature of gel water in concrete) and possibility of raising this temperature limitation has been investigated from the view point of long term concrete properties. In this experiment, many properties of concrete were examined, such as compressive strength, tensile strength. Young's modulus, weight loss, pore size distribution under combined conditions (temperature conditions, mix proportions of concrete, moisture conditions). Followings are the main conclusions obtained within the limit of the experiment. 1. Compressive strength of concrete becomes smaller according as temperature becomes high, but there is little difference between the compressive strength at 65degC and 85degC. 2. Young's modulus of concrete decreases linearly according as temperature becomes higher. 3. Weight loss of concrete increases according as temperature becomes higher. 4. Judging from the decreasing rate of physical properties of concrete, it seems possible to raise temperature limitation from 65degC to 85degC. (author)