About the Seminar
The μStructure Research Group is pleased to host a seminar by Dr. Hyunoh (Henry) Shin on the development of low-pH concrete materials for nuclear waste repository applications and the evaluation of their long-term performance under thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) coupled conditions.
The safe and permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) has become an urgent global issue, as the storage capacity within nuclear power plants is gradually reaching its limit. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommends deep geological disposal as a sustainable solution, in which HLW is isolated hundreds of meters underground through a multi-barrier system composed of both natural and engineered barriers. In this system, concrete plugs and shotcrete play a critical role by sealing disposal tunnels and ensuring the long-term containment of radioactive materials.
However, conventional cement-based materials produce highly alkaline leachates (pH > 13) when in contact with groundwater. This alkaline leachate alters the physicochemical properties of bentonite, the key material in buffer and backfill layers, leading to a reduction in swelling pressure and an increase in hydraulic conductivity. Furthermore, the long-term durability of concrete under thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) coupled conditions remains uncertain, particularly considering the elevated temperatures and complex hydro-chemical environments within deep geological repositories.
To address these challenges, this seminar will present ongoing research aimed at developing low-pH concrete (pH 10–11) as an alternative material for the engineered barrier system in deep geological disposal facilities. The presentation will focus on three topics:
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Development of low-pH cementitious materials through optimization of binder composition and admixture selection,
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Evaluation of the interaction between cement and bentonite, including mineralogical and chemical changes due to leachate reactions, and
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Assessment of low-pH concrete performance under various THMC coupled conditions to ensure long-term stability and durability.
Dr. Hyunoh (Henry) Shin is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Rural Engineering at Chungnam National University (CNU) in Daejeon, Republic of Korea and a Visiting Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada. He also serves as the Director of the Resilient Concrete Structures and Materials Laboratory at CNU. He received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Korea University in Seoul, Republic of Korea, and subsequently worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. After his postdoctoral research, he served as a Senior Researcher at the Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI) before joining Chungnam National University in 2018.
As of 2026, Dr. Shin has published over 60 peer-reviewed journal papers, led 25 competitive research projects with a total funding exceeding USD 3 million, and holds 13 domestic patents. He serves on the Editorial Boards of several journals, including the Korea Concrete Institute Journal and the Journal of the Korean Society of Civil Engineers, and is a Consulting and Evaluation Committee Member for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and other organizations. His academic excellence has been recognized with multiple honors, including four Best Paper Awards from academic societies such as the Korean Society of Railways, the Best Teaching Award from CNU, and commendations from both the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Society of Hazard Mitigation.
His main research interests relate to the confinement of concrete columns and behavior of slab-column connections. Other interests include the development and structural application of high-performance concrete and fiber-reinforced concrete under extreme conditions such as seismic, impact, and blast events, as well as for nuclear infrastructures.
The seminar is free but registration is required.
A participation link or confirmation email will be sent to registered attendees.