Drift scale thermomechanical analysis for thermal loading and retrievability studies
Currently, the repository portion of the Mined Geologic Disposal System for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high level radioactive waste is in the advanced conceptual design (ACD) stage. As a part of the Thermal Loading Systems Study and the Retrievability Period Systems Study, a numerical method was used to estimate the stability of emplacement drifts. Drift stability is an important performance issue, particularly for the concept of a waste package (WP) in an open drift. Drift stability is both a preclosure and postclosure issue. Specifically, preclosure worker safety and WP retrievability can be affected by drift stability. Important postclosure drift stability issues are the potential for rockfall which might damage a WP or the potential formation of cracks and upheaval of rock masses which may alter the hydrologic performance of the repository. In the current study, thermomechanical analyses, using the Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA) numerical code, were performed to support the thermal loading study and the retrievability study. The coupled effects between thermal and mechanical behavior induced by the excavation, thermal loading and rapid cooling were analyzed using rock-mass models. Input data for the jointed-rock pattern, in situ stress condition, and the material properties of intact rock and rock joints were adopted from the Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Project.
- Research Organization:
- Woodward Clyde Federal Services, Las Vegas, NV (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC01-91RW00134
- OSTI ID:
- 212478
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9504179-5; ON: DE96008863; TRN: 96:010573
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 6. annual international conference on high level radioactive waste management, Las Vegas, NV (United States), 30 Apr - 5 May 1995; Other Information: PBD: [1995]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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