Durability & Contamination Control Concrete for Nuclear Facilities

Low-permeability, water tight concrete plays a critical role in contamination control within nuclear facilities, where the ingress of water or chemicals can create significant safety and assurance risk. Delivered as part of Trent’s specialist concrete delivery for nuclear facilities, our waterproof and chemical resistant concrete solutions are designed to prevent contamination spread, support decontamination activities and comply with the requirements of licensed nuclear environments.

Concrete engineered for low permeability provides long-term durability and resistance to contamination, making it suitable for nuclear environments where exposure to water, chemicals and aggressive cleaning regimes is expected.

How It Works

Water tight concrete performance is achieved by controlling permeability through mix design, waterproofing additives and the use of water tight sealants for concrete where joints or interfaces are present.

The key to creating effective contamination control concretes is limiting the ways harmful agents can penetrate the material. This is often achieved by adding epoxy and polymer coatings to create non-porous surface barriers, seal pores and prevent direct contact with strong chemical substances.

For nuclear applications, epoxy and polymer systems are selected to provide long-term chemical resistance, including resistance to acidic and alkaline substances used during decontamination. For acid and alkali-resistant concretes, certain aggregates and binders can also be used to block infiltration.

A series of other steps can be taken in conjunction with non-porous surface barriers to further improve protection. These include reducing the water-to-cement ratio, using supplementary materials like silica fume or fly ash, and optimising particle packing to create a dense, tight matrix.

Where Is It Used in Nuclear Facilities?

Low-permeability and chemical resistant concrete is used in nuclear facilities where contamination control, wash-down and decontamination are critical to safe operation.

Typical applications include:

  • Containment areas and containment-adjacent structures
  • Hot cells and controlled laboratories
  • Waste handling, processing and storage areas
  • Areas subject to aggressive chemical cleaning or decontamination regimes

These environments require concrete with proven chemical resistance, low permeability and compatibility with nuclear assurance requirements.

Performance Benefits of Low-Permeability and Chemical Resistant Concrete

The core benefits associated with concrete mixes designed for contamination control include:

  • Durability – as contamination control, concrete prevents infiltration by hazardous substances, and it lasts longer than traditional concrete.
  • Easy clean – concrete with epoxy and polymer coatings guarantees a smooth surface that’s easy to clean and ideally suited to environments that require frequent decontamination.
  • Chemical resistance – acid resistant and alkali resistant concrete prevents degradation caused by aggressive cleaning agents and process chemicals.
  • Compliance – specialist contamination concrete can help when it comes to complying with strict regulatory regimes and guaranteeing performance in critical applications.
  • Lower lifetime costs – greater durability and enhanced structural stability minimise the risk of costly repairs, resulting in lower lifetime costs.

To discuss waterproof or chemical resistant concrete requirements within a nuclear facility, contact Trent Construction Services.

T: 01283 480110    E: info@trentcs.com