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Laboratory study of water infiltration into a block of welded tuff

Conference ·
OSTI ID:145413
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Geological Survey, Denver, CO (United States)
  2. Rocktech, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)
A laboratory water infiltration experiment through a block of fractured welded tuff measuring 47.5 cm long {times} 54.3 cm wide {times} 80.6 cm high was conducted. The purpose of the laboratory experiment was to design an instrumentation and monitoring scheme for an in situ field test to be conducted at Yucca Mountain. The instrumentation design included thermocouple psychrometers and tensiometers to measure water and matrix potentials in fractures or matrix. An infiltrometer was designed to apply constant boundary conditions (pressure or flow rate). The block was drilled with 18 small diameter (12.7 mm) boreholes into which the thermocouple psychrometers and tensiometers were installed. The block was encased in plexiglas to minimize fluctuations in boundary conditions and water evaporation. Sand layers were placed below and above the block. Initial hydraulic testing involved saturating the overlying sand layer and monitoring the redistribution of water from the sand into the block. The final stage of testing involved the application of water to the top sand layer at a constant pressure. Water flow rates into the block at different applied pressures were measured. No outflow of water from the bottom of the block was observed. The instruments and infiltrometer proved to be adequate to make the desired measurements in both matrix and fractures.
Research Organization:
American Nuclear Society, La Grange Park, IL (United States); American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, NY (United States)
OSTI ID:
145413
Report Number(s):
CONF-930408--Vol.2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English