FM 3.

4 Exhibit 7a Page 1 of 17

,8MACTEC
engineering and constructing a better tomorrow

November I1 2009

Mr. Craig Miller

Progress Energy
(352) 795-6486 ex 1026
[email protected]

Subject: Report of Petrographic Observations

Crystal River Containment Wall
Steam Generator Replacement Project
Crystal River Nuclear Generating Facility, Florida
MACTEC Project No. 6468-09-2535

Dear Mr.

MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, Inc. (MACTEC) is pleased to present this report of our
petrographic observations performed on two concrete cores that were shipped to our laboratory under
chain of custody. An additional core was received under chain of custody for limited observations. It is
our understanding the two cores submitted for petrographic observations are from an area of the
containment wall where a fracture was discovered, running parallel to the surface at a depth of'
approximately 8 to 9 inches. We understand the core that was submitted for limited observations was
from an area where the subject fracture had not occurred.

The cores submitted are as follows:

Core Number Laboratory Number Description of the Core

Assigned by
MACTEC
5 21269 From an area where the fracture had occurred
52 21270 From an area where the fracture had not occurred
7 21271 ] From an area where the fracture had occurred

Each core was photo documented as received and then saw cut longitudinally into halves. Each half was
labeled with the same sample number and than A and B were added to designate the halves. As requested
the H half for cores 21269 and 21270 were shipped to CTL Group in Skokie Illinois. The B half of core
21271 is being held for possible future use. The A half's of the cores were used for our analysis.
The purpose of our work was to perform a petrographic analysis of samples 21269A and 21271A and
limited observations of sample 21270A. It is our understanding that you also require specific information

MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, Inc.

9177 Sky Park Court, San Diego, CA 92123 * Phone: 858-278-3600 - Fax: 858-278-5300 wwwmactec.com
FM 3.4 Exhibit 7a Page 2 of 17

Crstal River Concrete Core Obsen,ations November II, 2009

Report of PetrographicObservations MACTEC Project No, 6468-09-2535
Crystal River Nuclear Generating lariity, Florida

relative to the age of the fractured surfaces on samples 21269A and 2127IA. Sample 21270A was used
as a control sample that did not have a fractured surface.

Petrographic Observations
A Petrographic Analysis is a visual and microscopic analysis of cernentitous materials performed by a
qualified petrographer. Petrographic examinations are typically performed on polished sections or thin
sections. Polished sections are generally cut sections that have been lapped (ground flat and smooth) and
polished and are observed using reflected polarized light microscopes at magnifications of up to 80X.
Thin sections are samples mounted to glass slides and ground to specific thicknesses (generally 20, 30, or
40 microns depending on the application) and observed using transmitted polarized light microscopes at
magnifications of up to 600X.

A petrographic evaluation may be performed to identify and describe a specific item of interest such as
the presence or extent of distress in concrete, or to provide a general characterization and measure of
quality of the materials being evaluated. The petrographic evaluation of concrete examines the
constituents of the concrete including coarse aggregates, fine aggregates, embedded items, hardened
paste, and air void structure. The examination identifies cracking present in the concrete, indications of
corrosion, extent of damage from external sources, aggregate reaction, chemical attack, sulfate attack,
freeze thaw cracking, acid attack, and other mechanisms of deterioration. The petrographic examination
can also estimate the water to cement ratio, look for indications of mineral additives and unhydrated
cernent particles in the paste, look for indications of bleed water and excess porosity in the concrete, look
for indications of curing procedures used and methods of finishing, observe micro cracking present and
other conditions within the concrete which might give information on the overall quality or the quality of
any particular constituent material. Aggregate mineralogy, rock types, and mineral crystal structure can
be identified when thin sections are viewed under a transmitted polarized light microscope.

TEST RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS

PETROGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS

The petrographic analysis was performed in general accordance with the applicable sections of ASTM C
856-04 Standard Practice for Petrographic Examination of Hardened Concrete. The results of our
petrographic analysis are on the attached sheets, Summary of Petrographic Observations of Hardened
Concrete. Photographs from our examination are attached. A summary of our observations and
discussion are as follows.

2
FM 3.4 Exhibit 7a Page 3 of 17

Crvstal River Concrete Core Observations November I/, 2009

Report of PeirographicObservations AM CTEC Project No. 6468-09-2535
CoYstal River Nuclear Generating Facility. Florida

Apmreaate
The coarse aggregate generally consisted of a natural carbonate crushed rock with a maximum size of 3/4
inch. The rocks types observed included limestone, fossiliferous limestone, and a few particles of chert
and/or limestone and chert. The particles were generally angular to sub-rounded in shape and fairly
evenly distributed. The coarse aggregate appeared to comprise approximately 50% of the total aggregate
quantity with the remaining fraction being fine aggregate.

On sample 21271, there were 4 coarse aggregate pieces on the cut surface of the core that retained
moisture (and moisture in the surrounding paste) longer than other portions of the sample. These pieces
are shown in Photographs 5, 6, 7, and 8. One of the pieces (Photograph 5 for core 21271) had a darkened
rim. A thin section was prepared from the piece in photograph 7 and this piece contained microcrystalline
quartz and radial silica and exhibited localized evidence of alkali silica reaction.

The fine aggregate was observed to be a natural siliceous sand consisting mostly of quartz. The particles
were generally sub-angular to sub-rounded in shape and fairly evenly distributed.

Cement Paste
The cement paste was medium light gray (Reference colors from The Geological Society of America
Rock-Color Chart, 1991). The paste appeared moderately hard and not easily scratched with a hardened
steel point. The concrete appeared to have been placed at a moderately low water to cement ratio,
possibly in the range of 0.4 to 0.5. Indication of placement at a high water to cement ratio such as
significant bleed channels and water gain voids were not observed.

Air Voids, Voids, and Cracks

The concrete appeared to be air entrained and had a total air content estimated to be around 2 to 3%. The
voids were generally small and spherical. Some air void clustering was observed around a few coarse
aggregate particles. The air void distribution was moderately un-even and some small areas lacked air
entrainment. There was limited mineral growth observed in some of the air voids. Calcium hydroxide
was observed lining some air voids.

3,
FM 3.4 Exhibit 7a Page 4 of 17

%FMACTEC
U

SUMMARY OF PETROGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS OF

HARDENED CONCRETE - ASTM C-856-04
PROJECT NAME Crystal River Core Petrography Project
I
PROJECT NUMBER 6468-09-2535
DATE SAMPLED RECEIVED 10-21-09
SAMPLE I.D. 21269A
SAMPLE SIZE AND DESCRIPTION Concrete core, approximately 3 ¾/ inches in
AS RECEIVED diameter, approximately 7 to 8 inches long.
OBSERVATIONS BY David Wilson

CHARACTERISTICS . OBSERVATIONS
COARSE AGGREGATE:
Shape Angular to sub rounded
Grading Approximately 3/4 maximum size
Distribution Even. Approximately 50% of the
aggregates appeared to be coarse
aggregates with the remaining fraction
being the fine aggregate.
Texture Fine
Composition Carbonate
Rock Types Limestone, fossiliferous limestone
Alteration: Not observed
- Degree
- Products
Coatings Not observed
Rims Not observed
Internal Cracking Generally not observed except in the
vicinity of the fractured surface
Contamination Not observed
FINE AGGREGATE:
Shape Generally sub-rounded to sub-angular
Grading #4 and smaller
Distribution Even
Texture Fine
Composition I Siliceous

PetrographicObservations, Sample LD. 21269A Page I of 3

Form Reviewed and Approved for Use on Crystal River Cores Project 6468-09-2535 J. Allan Tice, Project Principal
FM 3.4 Exhibit 7a Page 5 of 17

SMACTEC
Rock Tyies Ouartz
Alteration: Not Observed
- Degree
- Products
Coatings Not Observed
Rims Not Observed
Internal Cracking A few internal fiactures were observed
Contamination Not observed
I

CHARACTERISTICS OBSERVATIONS
CONCRETE:
Air-Entrained or Not Appeared to have some air entrainment.
Total air content based on visual
observations appeared to be 2 to 3%
Air Voids: Mostly small and spherical. Some air void
- Shape clustering was observed around a few
- Size coarse aggregate particles. The air void
- Distribution distribution was moderately un-even, some
small areas lacked air entrainment. There
was some limited mineral growth observed
in some of the air voids. Calcium
hydroxide was observed lining some air
voids.
Bleeding Not Observed
Segregation Not Observed
Aggregate-Paste Bond Coarse and fine aggregates appeared to
have a good bond to the cement paste with
few openings. Some aggregate particles
had increased calcium hydroxide in the
paste surrounding the perimeter of the
particle.
Fractures One end of the core contained a fractured
surface. There were some other minor
fractures on the end with the fractured
surface. On the fractured surface there was
a white deposit in a few areas. The deposit
exhibited desiccation cracking and
appeared to contain fine cement paste
particles and some angular quartz
fragments. This deposit is expected to be
_drilling slur
Embedded Items Not observed
- Shape
- Size

Petrographic Observations, Sample I.D. 21269A P, zge 2of 3

Form Reviewed and Approved for Use on Oystal Rivetr Cores Project 6468-09-2535 J. Allan Tice, ProjectPrincipal
FM 3.4 Exhibit 7a Page 6 of 17

%MACTEC
- Location
- Type
Alteration: Not observed
- Degree & Type
- Reaction Products
- Location
- Identification
Nature and Condition of Surface There appeared to be white paint on the
Treatments exterior surface of the core
Estimated water-cement ratio (based on Appeared to have a moderately low w/c
visual observations only) ratio possibly in the range of 0.4 to 0.5
Estimated cement content (based on visual Appeared to have a moderately high
observations only) cement content
PASTE:
Color (GSA rock color chart 1991) Medium light gray
Hardness Appeared moderately hard when scratched
with a hardened steel point
Porosity Did not appear very porous. It took from
10 minutes to over 20 minutes to absorb 15
micro liter drops of water.
Carbonation The outer 1/4to V2 inch of the exterior
surface was carbonated. The fractured
surface was not carbonated.
Residual un-hydrated Cement: Some un-hydrated/partially hy-drated
- Distribution cement particles were observed
- Particle Size
- Abundance
- Composition
Mineral Admixtures: Fly-ash was not observed
- Size
- Abundance
- Identification
Contamination: Not observed
- Size
- Abundance
- Identification
Equipment Used:
Cannon EOS Digital Rebel with 50mm macro lens and microscope adapters
AmScope 7X to 45X stereo zoom microscope (with and without polarized light)
Olympus BH-2 polarized light microscope
Zeiss Photomicroscope 1Ipolarized light microscope
Aven Digital Microscope
Starrett 6 inch rule SN 109000003
Note: No M&TE used is subject to calibration requirements.

PetrographicObservations, Sample LD. 21269A Page 3 of 3

Form Reviewed and Approved for Use on Crystal River Cores Project 6468-09-2535 J. Allan Tice, Project Principal
FM 3.4 Exhibit 7a Page 7 of 17

SMACTEC
Q 11F
i ENq "ps I

SUMMARY OF PETROGRAPHIC
HARDENED OBSERVATIONS
CONCRETE - ASTM

PROJECT NAME
C-856-04 OF

Crystal River Core Petrography Project

Il
PROJECT NUMBER 6468-09-2535
DATE SAMPLED RECEIVED 10-25-09
SAMPLE I0D. 21271 A
SAMPLE SIZE AND DESCRIPTION Concrete core, approximately 3 ¾ inches in
AS RECEIVED diameter, approximately 7 to 8 inches long.
OBSERVATIONS BY David Wilson

. •CHA
C .. TICS
... OBSERVA. TLONS
COARSE AGGREGATE:
Shape Angular to sub rounded
Griading. Approximately 3/4 maximum size
Distribution Even. Approximately 50% of the
aggregates appeared to be coarse
aggregates with the remaining fraction
being the fine aggregate.
Texture Fine
Composition Carbonate, a few with siliceous deposits
Rock Types Mostly limestone and fossiliferous
limestone. 4 coarse aggregate particles on
the cored surface retained moisture much
longer than the other particles and one of
these particles had a darkened rim
Alteration: Not observed
- Degree
- Products
Coafingý "" Not observed
Rims Not observed except for one particle
Internal Cracking Generally not observed except in the
vicinity of the fractured surface. One of
the particles that retained moisture longer
than the other particles (referenced in rock
type section) was observed in thin section
and contained microcrystalline quartz and

PetrographicObservations, Sample I.D. 21271A Page I of4

Form Reviewed and Approvedfor Use on Crystal River Cores Project 6468-09-2535J. Allan Tice, ProjectPrincipal
FM 3.4 Exhibit 7a Page 8 of 17

SMACTEC
radial silica (essentially chert) with the
limestone, several cracks were observed
going through the portion which was
predominately chert. There appeared to be
minor amounts of ASR gel but a positive
identification could not be made due to the
small amounts present.
Contamination Not observed
FINE AGGREGATE:
Shape Generally sub-rounded to sub-angular
Grading #4 and smaller
Distribution Even
Texture Fine
Composition Siliceous
Rock Types Quartz
Alteration: Not Observed
- Degree
- Products
Coatings Not Observed
Rims Not Observed
Internal Cracking A few internal fractures were observed
Contamination Not observed

I-CHARACTERISTICS
CONCRETE:
OBSERVATIONS
Air-Entrained or Not Appeared to have some air entrainment.
Total air content based on visual
observations appeared to be 2 to 3%
Air Voids: Mostly small and spherical. Some air void
- Shape clustering was observed around a few
- Size coarse aggregate particles. The air void
- Distribution distribution was moderately un-even, some
small areas lacked air entrainment. There
was some limited mineral growth observed
in some of the air voids. Calcium
hydroxide was observed lining some air
voids.
Bleeding Not Observed
Segregation Not Observed
Aggregate-Paste Bond Coarse and fine aggregates appeared to
have a good bond to the cement paste with
few openings. Some aggregate particles
had increased calcium hydroxide in the
paste surrounding the perimeter of the

PetrographicObservations, Sample LD. 21271A Page 2 of4

Form Reviewed and Approved for Use on Crystal River Cores Project 6468-09-2535 J. Allan Tice, ProjectPrincipal
FM 3.4 Exhibit 7a Page 9 of 17

SMACTEC
Darticle.
Fractures One end of the core contained a fractured
surface. There were some other minor
fractures on the end with the fractured
surface. There were some fractures
associated the chert particle discussed
previously.
Embedded Items Not observed
- Shape
- Size
- Location
- Type
Alteration: Not observed
- Degree & Type
- Reaction Products
- Location
- Identification
Nature and Condition of Surface There appeared to be white paint on the
Treatments exterior surface of the core
Estimated water-cement ratio (based on Appeared to have a moderately low w/c
visual observations only) ratio possibly in the range of 0.4 to 0.5
Estimated cement content (based on visual Appeared to have a moderately high
observations only) cement content
PASTE:
Color (GSA rock color chart 1991) Medium light gray
Hardness Appeared moderately hard when scratched
with a hardened steel point
Porosity Did not appear very porous. It took from
10 minutes to over 20 minutes to absorb 15
micro liter drops of water.
Carbonation The outer ¼ to '/2 inch of the exterior
surface was carbonated. The fractured
surface was not carbonated.
Residual un-hydrated Cement: Some un-hydrated/partially hydrated
- Distribution cement particles were observed
- Particle Size
- Abundance
- Composition
Mineral Admixtures: Fly-ash was not observed
- Size
- Abundance
- Identification
Contamination: Not observed
- Size
- Abundance
- Identification

PetrographicObservations, Sample I.D. 21271A Page 3 of4

Form Reviewed and Approved for Use on Crystal River Cores Project 6468-09-2535 j. Allan Tice, ProjectPrincipal
FM 3.4 Exhibit 7a Page 10 of 17

SMACTEC

Equipment Used:
Cannon EOS Digital Rebel with 50mm macro lens and microscope adapters
AmScope 7X to 45X stereo zoom microscope (with and without polarized light)
Olympus BH-2 polarized light microscope
Zeiss Photomicroscope 1I polarized light microscope
Aven Digital Microscope
Starrett 6 inch rule SN 109000003
Note: No M&TE used is subject to calibration requirements.

PetrographicObservations,Sample I.D. 21271A P'age4 of4

Form Reviewed and Approved for Use on Crystal River Cores Project 6468-09-2535 J. Allan Tice, ProjectPrincipal
ýý - --- . I II , , I 1111111111 ml. 11, 1-11 1- ,- -- , I ý - -- 1 1
FM 3.4 Exhibit 7a Page 11 of 17

C•ystal River Concrete Core Observations,Sample .1D.21271 November 1I, 2009

Report of PetrographicObservations MACTEC Project No. 6468-09-2535
CrYstal River Nuclear GeneratingFacility, Florida

U
Photograph #5 Remarks
An aggregate particle
on the cored surface.
This particle has a
darkened rim and the
area around the particle
appeared to retain
moisture longer than
the rest of the core.
Marks on the ruler are
0. 1 inch.

Photograph #6 Remarks
Photograph #6 Remarks
An aggregate particle
on the cored surface.
This particle has a
darkened rim and the
area around the particle
appeared to retain
moisture longer than
the rest of the core.
Marks on the ruler are
0.1 inch.

3
. FM 3.4 Exhibit 7a Page 12 of 17

COystal River Concrete Core Observations,Sample ID. 21271 November 11, 2009
Report of PetrographicObservations MA CTEC ProjectNo. 6468-09-2535
Crystal River Nuclear GeneraatlngFacility, Florida

Photo ra h #7 Remarks
An aggregate particle
on the cored surface.
This particle has a
darkened rim and the
area around the particle
appeared to retain
moisture longer than
the rest of the core.
Marks on the ruler are
0. 1 inch.

Photograph #8 Remarks
An aggregate particle
on the cored surface.
This particle has a
darkened rim and the
area around the particle
appeared to retain
moisture longer than
the rest of the core.
Marks on the ruler are
0. 1 inch.

4
I. FM 3.4 Exhibit 7a Page 13 of 17

C('vstal River Concrete Core Obsenoatiion , Sample L), 21271 Notemrber I1, 2009
Report of Petrog raphic Observations A ICTEC Project No. 6468-09-2535
Crystal River Nuclear Generating Iarwility, Florida

Photo ra h #9 Remarks
Close up of the
polished sections
showing voids in the
coarse aggregate.
Width of view is
approximately 0.8 inch.

Photograph #10 Remarks

I
Close up of the
polished sections
showing the fracture
surface (top of
photograph). Note
uneven distribution of
air voids. Width of
view is approximately
0.4 inch.

5
" FM 3.4 Exhibit 7a Page 14 of 17

Crystal River Concrete Core Observations,Sample 1.1. 21271 November 11, 2(0)9
Report of PetrographicObservations MACTEC Project No. 6468-09-2535
Crystal River Nuclear GeneratingFacilit. Florida

I PhotoziraDh #17 Remarks

Remrk
II Close up of the
polished sections
showing clustering of
air voids around an
aggregate particle.
Width of view is
approximately 0.2 inch.

Photograph #18 Remarks

Close up of the
polished sections
showing uneven
distribution of air
voids. Width of view is
approximately 0.2 inch.

9)
FM 3.4 Exhibit 7a Page 15 of 17

Crystal River Concrete Core Observations,Sample ID. 21271 Novemnber /I/, 2009J
Report o[PetrographicObservations MACT1UIC Project No. 6468-09-2535
CrystalRiver Nuclear Generatingfacility, Florida

Phot a h #23 Remarks

Photomicrograph of
thin section in plane
polarized light. Note
the mineral growth in
the air void that was
exposed at the fractured
surface (red arrow).
Note lack of mineral
growth on fractured
surface (blue arrow).
Width of view is
approximately 0.3 inch.

Photograph #24 Remarks

Photomicrograph of
thin section using plane
polarized light. Note
fractures (red arrows)
coming out of chert
deposit (blue arrows) in
a limestone particle.
Width of view is
approximately 0.5 inch.

12
* FM 3.4 Exhibit 7a Page 16 of 17

C,3,stol River Concrete Core Observations, Simple .)D. 21271 Noveember / 1, 2009
Report of PetrographicObservations MACfIEC Project No. 6468-09-2535
CrYstal River Nuclear Generating Facility. Florida

Photograph #25 Remarks

Same view as
photograph #24 taken
with cross polarized
light. Width of view is
approximately 0.5 inch.

Photo ra h #26 Remarks

Cracking in a chert
deposit in a limestone
particle (red arrows).
Width of view is
approximately 0.5 inch.

13