Model validation lessons learned: A case study at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
- North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC (United States)
A groundwater flow and contaminant transport model validation study was performed to determine the applicability of typical groundwater flow models for performance assessment of proposed waste disposal facilities at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Standard practice site interpretation and groundwater modeling resulted in inaccurate predictions of contaminant transport at a proposed waste disposal site. The site`s complex and heterogeneous geology, the presence of flow dominated by fractured and weathered zones, and the strongly transient character of shallow aquifer recharge and discharge combined to render assumptions of steady-state, homogeneous groundwater flow invalid. The study involved iterative phases of site field investigation and modeling. Subsequent modeling activities focused on generation of a model grid incorporating the observed site geologic heterogeneity, and on establishing and using model boundary conditions based on site data. Time dependent water table configurations, and fixed head boundary conditions were used as input to the refined model in simulating groundwater flow at the site.
- Research Organization:
- EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States). National Low-Level Waste Management Program
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 330567
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-890854-Vol.1; ON: DE98050435; TRN: IM9915%%83
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 11. annual DOE low level waste management conference, Pittsburgh, PA (United States), 22-24 Aug 1989; Other Information: PBD: Nov 1989; Related Information: Is Part Of Eleventh annual Department of Energy low-level waste management conference. Volume 1: Regulatory updates, performance assessment, understanding remedial action efforts; PB: 226 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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