Evaluation of the cover cracking potential due to ground subsidence at UMTRA Project disposal cells
The US Department of Energy`s Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Project requires that mill tailings, containing low-level radioactive uranium mill tailings and other waste, be stabilized and controlled by placement in an encapsulated disposal cell. The cover of the cell is a multi-layer system which includes a low-permeability earthen radon/infiltration barrier, a bedding layer, and a erosion protection layer. The radon/infiltration barrier is designed to limit the radon flux and reduce water infiltration. The performance criteria established by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 40 CFR 192 require the cover to be effective for up to 1000 years to the extent reasonably achievable, and in any case, for at least 200 years. One concern that would affect the integrity of the radon/infiltration barrier is the potential for cracking due to the post-construction settlement of underlying compressible materials. To investigate the potential of cover cracking for UMTRA disposal cells, a simplified beam analysis is used to determine the horizontal movements and strains due to the differential settlements at the top surface of a relatively incompressible layer (e.g. radon/infiltration barrier and compacted tailings). The potential of cover cracking is then evaluated by comparing the calculated horizontal tensile strains with the strains that will cause cracking of the cover for a given material.
- Research Organization:
- Morrison-Knudsen Corp., Inc., Boise, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-91AL62350
- OSTI ID:
- 10134903
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-940225-77; ON: DE94008607; BR: EW2010102/EX2040010
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Waste management `94: working towards a cleaner environment,Tucson, AZ (United States),27 Feb - 3 Mar 1994; Other Information: PBD: [1994]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
MILL TAILINGS
REMEDIAL ACTION
CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS
FRACTURES
TENSILE PROPERTIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
UTAH
WATER INFLUX
DIAGRAMS
STATISTICAL MODELS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
GROUND SUBSIDENCE
052002
053001
054000
540230
540250
WASTE DISPOSAL AND STORAGE
SITING
HEALTH AND SAFETY
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT
SITE RESOURCE AND USE STUDIES