Consolidation, permeability, and strength of crushed salt/bentonite mixtures with application to the WIPP (Waste Isolation Pilot Plant)
- RE/SPEC, Inc., Rapid City, SD (USA)
Three tests were performed to measure the consolidation, permeability, and compressive strength of specimens prepared from bentonite/crushed salt mixtures. Each mixture comprised 30% bentonite and 70% crushed salt based on total dry weight. Brine was added to each mixture to adjust its water content to either 5 or 10% (nominal) of the total dry weight of the mixture. In the consolidation tests, each specimen was subjected to multiple stages of successively higher hydrostatic stress (pressure). During each stage, the pressure was maintained at a constant level and volumetric strain data were continuously logged. By using multiple stages, consolidation data were obtained at several pressures and the time required to consolidate the specimens to full saturation was reduced. Once full saturation was achieved, each specimen was subjected to a final test stage in which the hydrostatic stress was reduced and a permeability test performed. Permeability was measured using the steady flow of brine and was found to range between 1 {times} 10{sup {minus}17} and 5 {times} 10{sup {minus}17} m{sup 2}. After the final test stage, unconfined compressive strength was determined for each specimen and was found to range between 0.5 and 8.1 MPa. Two constitutive models were fitted to the consolidation data. One relatively simple model related volumetric strain to time while the other related instantaneous density to time, pressure, and initial density. 8 refs., 9 figs., 8 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); RE/SPEC, Inc., Rapid City, SD (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/DP
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6208243
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-90-7009; RSI-0357; ON: DE91007251; CNN: 23-8484; TRN: 91-006243
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BENTONITE
COMPACTING
COMPRESSION STRENGTH
MIXTURES
PERMEABILITY
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SALT DEPOSITS
WIPP
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
BACKFILLING
BRINES
DENSITY
GRAIN SIZE
HYDROSTATICS
SATURATION
STRAINS
STRESSES
TEST FACILITIES
TIME DEPENDENCE
CLAYS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
DISPERSIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MICROSTRUCTURE
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PILOT PLANTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SIZE
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
540230 - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540330 - Environment
Aquatic- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)