Numerical study of the chemo-mechanical behavior of FEBEX bentonite in nuclear waste disposal based on the Barcelona expansive model

Xu, Hao; Zheng, Liange; Rutqvist, Jonny; Birkholzer, Jens

doi:10.1016/j.compgeo.2020.103968

Numerical study of the chemo-mechanical behavior of FEBEX bentonite in nuclear waste disposal based on the Barcelona expansive model

Journal Article · Fri Jan 22 00:00:00 EST 2021 · Computers and Geotechnics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2020.103968· OSTI ID:1813372

Xu, Hao ^[1]; Zheng, Liange ^[1]; Rutqvist, Jonny ^[1]; Birkholzer, Jens ^[1]

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

Experimental studies show that compacted bentonite used as a backfill material for nuclear waste repository experiences strong coupling between chemical and mechanical processes. Here, we use a dual-structure expansive soil model, referred to as the Barcelona Expansive Model (BExM), to predict the behavior of bentonite buffer in subsurface emplacement tunnels for high-level radioactive waste. After emplacement, the bentonite is subjected to complex and coupled Thermal-Hydraulic-Mechanical-Chemical (THMC) processes. The BExM constitutive model is implemented in a multi-phase reactive transport and geomechanics simulator, TOUGHREACT-FLAC3D, and the model is verified with one benchmark test on FEBEX bentonite. We utilize a one-way Chemo-Mechanical (C-M) coupling approach, in which chemical changes affect the mechanical behavior of bentonite through the BExM linked with the evolution of mass fraction of smectite, exchangeable cation concentration, and ionic strength via osmotic suction. The parameters of the new coupled model for FEBEX bentonite are calibrated against a series of laboratory experiments with various salinity solutions. Finally, coupled THMC modeling is conducted for a generic argillite repository with bentonite buffer under high temperature, focusing on the long-term chemical change and its effect on the mechanical process.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-05CH11231

OSTI ID:: 1813372

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1777565

Journal Information:: Computers and Geotechnics, Journal Name: Computers and Geotechnics Vol. 132; ISSN 0266-352X

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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