MODEL-SIZED AND FULL-SCALE DYNAMIC PENETRATION TESTS ON DAMPING CONCRETE

Mechanical loading conditions of transport and storage casks for radioactive materials in accidental scenarios are highly affected by the behavior of both: the impact limiters and the footing materials. To minimize potential damages during the handling of casks, a so called damping concrete is frequently used for the footings in interim nuclear facilities. It obtains its shock absorbing properties through admixing of polymer cells. For a comprehensive mechanical evaluation of casks, advanced material models are also needed for damping concrete. In order to characterize the mechanical properties and to develop numerical material models, penetration tests were carried out at different test facilities of BAM. The tests contain static and dynamic penetration tests on cubic specimen with an edge length of 100 mm as well as mortared specimen with a size of 240 x 240 x 50 cm³. Indenters with different geometries and diameters were used for these model-sized penetration tests. Subsequently a full-scale cylindrical cast-iron indenter with a diameter of 110 cm was dropped of 5 m height on a realistic damping concrete footing.