WP1 Management

Ensuring that the project implementation is carried out in accordance with the original plan, budget and timeframe. Reporting to, and communicating with the funding agency. Writing and submitting of half-year reports and a final report.

WP2 Input material characterization

The aim is to provide detailed characterization of the input materials
to be used in the project
Tasks:

• 2.1 Chemical, mineralogical and radiological characterization
  of used materials  [UT]
• 2.2 Theoretical characterization (radiological and chemical)
  of various types of low-, intermediate- and high-level
  radioactive waste from nuclear industry
  [LEI]
• 2.3 Selection and testing of fibers  [RTU, UiT, UT]

WP3 Case studies, models

The aim of this WP is to model the properties and behavior of composite materials, where OSA and basalt (boron) fiber has been added. Various mixture designs will be modeled, eg 10, 20, 30, 50% or more OPC replaced with OSA and with various fiber volume content.

Tasks:

• 3.1 Determining critical parameters and requirements for the materials used in radioactive waste management  [LEI]
• 3.2 Composite material modeling  [RTU, UT, LEI]
• 3.3 Comparison of the results with currently used standard materials for the same applications  [RTU, UT, LEI, UiT]

WP4 Creation of composite material specimens and their structure and stability
monitoring

Sample specimens will be created based on the results from
previous  WPs to experimentally verify the modeling results.
Measurements on  parallel samples will be conducted after fixed-time intervals, the proposed sequence is (1, 7, 28, 360, 540 days) to see the changes in the material composition, microstructure and mechanical properties over time. Accelerated degradation tests will be conducted at the final stage to determine the hardened material's resistance to aggressive environments, such as high or low pH, temperature changes, freeze-thaw cycles.

Tasks:

• 4.1 Preparation of sample specimens [RTU]
• European standards will be followed to prepare the test specimens and test the performance of fibers in newly designed concrete. Different macro-fiber configurations will be used (selection based on the results from task 2.3)
• 4.2 Material mechanical tests [RTU]
• Properties testing of newly designed concrete with addition of OSA and BF will be performed on fresh and hardened concrete.
• 4.3 Determining the material immobilization properties. [RTU]
• 4.4 Changes in chemical and mineralogical properties as well as microstructure. [UT, LEI]
• 4.5 Studying the fiber-matrix interface and behavior characteristics. [RTU, LEI, UiT]
• 4.6 Gamma and neutron shielding experiments. [UT]

WP5 Life Cycle Assessment

The environmental impacts associated with the most promising candidate materials will be evaluated based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). All the input-output energy, material and emission flows will be characterized, and the resulting environmental impacts evaluated. Results will be compared with currently used concrete types deployed in hazardous and radioactive waste management.

Tasks:

• 5.1 Establishing process flow, system boundary and creating inventory [UT, RTU, LEI, UiT]
• Creating a product system by establishing unit processes and their interrelations. All input, output energy and material (including emissions) flows will be mapped. 
• 5.2 Conducting impact assessment and sensitivity analysis  [UT]

WP6 Dissemination and communication

Creating a dissemination and communication plan, organizing seminars and workshops and submitting scientific, as well as popular science articles.,

Tasks:

• Seminar held at the University of Tartu [UT]
• Workshop (covering radioactive/nuclear waste management and other project topics) organized in Lithuanian Energy Institute  [LEI]
• Summer school for the PhD students and young scientist held in Lithuanian Energy Institute [LEI]