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Title: Concepts for operational period panel seal design at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10179310· OSTI ID:10179310
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade and Douglas, Inc., San Francisco, CA (United States)
  3. RE/SPEC, Inc., Rapid City, SD (United States)

Concepts for underground panel or drift seals at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant are developed to satisfy sealing requirements of the operational period. The concepts are divided into two groups. In the ``NOW`` group, design concepts are considered in which a sleeve structure is installed in the panel access immediately after excavation and before waste is emplaced. In the ``LATER`` group, no special measures are taken during excavation or before waste emplacement; the seal is installed at a later date, perhaps up to 35 years after the drift is excavated. Three concepts are presented in both the NOW and LATER groups. A rigid sleeve, a yielding sleeve, and steel rings with inflatable tubes are proposed as NOW concepts. One steel ring concept and two concrete monoliths are proposed for seals emplaced in older drifts. Advantages and disadvantages are listed for each concept. Based on the available information, it appears most feasible to recommend a LATER concept using a concrete monolith as a preferred seal for the operational period. Each concept includes the potential of remedial grout and/or construction of a chamber that could be used for monitoring leakage from a closed panel during the operational period. Supporting in situ demonstrations of elements of the concepts are recommended.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
10179310
Report Number(s):
SAND-93-0729; ON: DE93019211; TRN: 93:019149
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Jul 1993
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English