FRP Retrofit of the Ring-Beam of a Nuclear Reactor Containment Structure

Abstract

Even though the Gentilly-1 nuclear power plant in Quebec, Canada, was decommissioned in 1978, the containment structure has been continually used for the storage of the moderately contaminated nuclear reactor. From the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and public points of view, the facility must appear to be in perfect condition. This paper discusses the long term durability of the repair of the containment structure that will store the reactor for the next 50 to 80 years. The durability objective of the repair was attained by using state of the art technologies for the replacement of the secondary concrete, together with the use of FRP materials for securing and protecting the concrete repairs. The innovative application of the FRP wraps to mitigate the adverse effects of shrinkage cracks was successfully carried out.