• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.2147-2157
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• 2023

The aggregate-forming minerals in concrete undergo volume swelling and microstructure change under neutron irradiation, leading to degradation of physical and mechanical properties of the aggregates and concrete. A comprehensive investigation of volume change and elastic property variation of major aggregate-forming minerals is still lacking, so molecular dynamics simulations have been employed in this paper to improve the understanding of the degradation mechanisms. The results demonstrated that the densities of the selected aggregate-forming minerals of similar atomic structure and chemical composition vary in a similar trend with deposited energy due to the similar amorphization mechanism. The elastic tensors of all silicate minerals are almost isotropic after saturated irradiation, while those of irradiated carbonate minerals remain anisotropic. Moreover, the elastic modulus ratio versus density ratio of irradiated minerals is roughly following the density-modulus scaling relationship. These findings could further provide basis for predicting the volume and elastic properties of irradiated concrete aggregates in nuclear facilities.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.561-572
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• 2021

Aggregate collection is taking place in many areas in Korea, resulting in large cut slopes or large amounts of cut rocks. If the development site for such aggregate collection is a stratum accompanied by sulfide minerals, Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) may occur, which may cause environmental pollution in the development site and surrounding areas. As a result of the study on forest aggregate samples, most of the samples were classified as acid-forming potential samples, and among them, some samples from Gwangju, Goyang, and Sokcho were classified as potential acid-generating samples. This can be expected to affect the quality of aggregates when a large amount of aggregate is used in the future. Therefore, it is judged that these forest aggregates need to be managed when they are used. By predicting the occurrence of ARD through the acid-generating ability test, it is expected that economic losses that may occur in the future can be reduced, and it is judged that the problem of surrounding environmental pollution can be further alleviated.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2018

Mineralogical properties of two Asian dust (Hwangsa) samples collected during dust events in April 6 and 15, 2018 were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD analyses showed that Asian dusts were dominated by phyllosilicates (62 wt%) comprising illite-smectite series clay minerals (ISCMs) (55%), chlorite (3%) and kaolinite (4%). Nonphyllosilicate minerals were quartz (18%), plagioclase (9%), K-feldspar (3%), calcite (3%), and gypsum (2-4%). Mineral compositions determined by SEM chemical analyses were consistent with XRD data. ISCMs occur as submicron grains forming aggregate particles or coating coarse mineral grains such as quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar, chlorite, and calcite. The ISCMs are often associated with calcite nanofibers and gypsum blades. Mineralogical properties of 2018 dusts were similar to those of previous dusts although clay contents were higher than that of coarse 2012 dust.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.365-374
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• 2003

Various deleterious chemicals can be introduced to existing concrete structures from various external sources. The deterioration of concrete by seawater attack is involved in complex processes due to various elements contained in seawater. In the present study, attention was paid to the formation of secondary minerals and characteristics of mineralogical and micro-structural changes involved in concrete deterioration caused by the influence of major seawater composition. The characteristics of deterioration occurred in existing concrete structures was carefully observed and samples were collected at many locations of coastal areas in Busan-Kyungnam. The petrographic, XRD, SEM/EDAX analyses were conducted to determine chemical, mineralogical and micro-structural changes in the aggregate and cement paste of samples. The experimental concrete deteriorations were performed using various chloride solutions (NaCl, CaCl, $MgCl_2$ and $Na_2SO_4$ solution. The experimental results were compared with the observation results in order to determine the effect of major elements in seawater on the deterioration. The alkalies in seawater appear to accelerate alkali-silica reaction (ASR). The gel formed by ASR is alkali-calcium-silica gel which known to cause severe expansion and cracking in concrete. Carbonation causes the formation of abundant less-cementitious calcite and weaken the cement paste. Progressive carbonation significantly affects on the composition and stability of some secondary minerals. Abundant gypsum generally occurs in concretes subjected to significant carbonation, but thaumasite ({$Ca_6/[Si(OH)_6]_2{\cdot}24H_2O$}${\cdot}[(SO_4)_2]{\cdot}[(CO_3))2]$) occurs as ettringite-thaumasite solid solution in concretes subjected to less significant carbonation. Experimentally, ettringite can be transformed to trichloroaluminate or decomposed by chloride ingress under controlled pH conditions. Mg ions in seawater cause cement paste deterioration by forming non-cementitious brucite and magnesium silicate hydrate (MSH).

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.75-90
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• 2003

Ettringite and thaumasite were observed in some concrete. The morphology and occurrence of these minerals were closely examined by performing SEM/EDAX analyses. We also experimentally induced the concrete deterioration using $Na_2SO_4$ solution with application of various environmental conditions. The stability of these minerals and deterioration characteristics under applied experimental conditions were determined. Abundant ettringite formed by“through solution reaction”occurred in many open spaces, and some microscopic ettringite formed by "tophochemical replacement" of calcium aluminate also occurred in cement paste. Severe cracking of cement paste causing premature deterioration was often associated with ettringite location. Under specific condition, ettringite was transformed to thaumasite, tricthloroaluminate, or decomposed. Thaumasite occurred with association of ettrinsite in concrete containing carbonate aggregate being subject to dedolomitization or in some concrete being subject to carbonation. Thaumasite appears to be formed under the similar condition to the general ettringite forming condition, but it formed solid solution with ettringite by substituting pre-existing ettringite. Ettringite can also be transformed to trichloroaluminate in the presence of abundant chlorides, but trichloroaluminate changed back to ettringite in late sulfate attack. It is considered that the substitution reaction direction solely depend on the concentration of chloride and sulfate ion.