Evaluation of desiccation cracking characteristics of inorganic micro-fiber-reinforced engineered barrier material (IMEBM) for geological repository

Feng, Yuan; Kim, Seunghee; Kim, Yong-Rak; Dzenis, Yuris; Eun, Jongwan

doi:10.1007/s11440-025-02627-6

Evaluation of desiccation cracking characteristics of inorganic micro-fiber-reinforced engineered barrier material (IMEBM) for geological repository

Journal Article · Thu May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Acta Geotechnica

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-025-02627-6· OSTI ID:2566607

Feng, Yuan; Kim, Seunghee; Kim, Yong-Rak; Dzenis, Yuris;

Abstract

Buffer material is crucial for the engineering barrier system to dispose of high-level radioactive waste in a geological repository. A reliable buffer material should be able to maintain good sealing characteristics and minimize desiccation cracking. In this study, the effectiveness of inorganic fiber-reinforced engineering barrier material in reducing desiccation cracks in bentonite was evaluated via desiccation tests, image analysis, and air permeability tests. The effects of fiber type (E-glass fiber and basalt fiber) and fiber content (0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 3.0%, and 5.0% of dry weight of the bentonite) on the development of desiccation cracks in the fiber–bentonite mixtures with the same given initial moisture content were evaluated. The results indicated that the addition of fibers could significantly reduce the crack size and area in bentonite during the drying. Basalt fibers showed a slightly better reinforcement effect than E-glass fibers when the fiber content was lower than 3.0%. The addition of fibers prevented the development of penetrating cracks and significantly reduced the permeability of the bentonite after drying. The permeabilities of basalt fiber- and E-glass fiber-reinforced bentonite composites with 3% reinforcement were 5.81 × 10 ^–11 m ² and 7.24 × 10 ^–11 m ² , respectively, which were 64 and 51 times smaller than that of pure bentonite. X-ray–CT observation of the internal structure of the samples after drying showed that the addition of fibers significantly changed the crack morphology and potentially increased the tortuosity.

View Journal Article

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: NE0008954

OSTI ID:: 2566607

Journal Information:: Acta Geotechnica, Journal Name: Acta Geotechnica; ISSN 1861-1125

Publisher:: Springer Science + Business MediaCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: Germany

Language:: English

References (68)

Effects of substrate on cracking patterns and dynamics in desiccating clay layers DeCarlo, Keita F.; Shokri, Nima Water Resources Research, Vol. 50, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1002/2013WR014466	journal	April 2014
Berechnung verschiedener physikalischer Konstanten von heterogenen Substanzen. I. Dielektrizitätskonstanten und Leitfähigkeiten der Mischkörper aus isotropen Substanzen Bruggeman, D. A. G. Annalen der Physik, Vol. 416, Issue 7 https://doi.org/10.1002/andp.19354160705	journal	January 1935
Investigation on structure, evaporation, and desiccation cracking of soil with straw biochar Yang, Binbin; Chen, Yang; Yuan, Shichong Land Degradation & Development, Vol. 35, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.5122	journal	April 2024
Proton Adsorption and Electrokinetics of an Argentinean Montmorillonite Avena, Marcelo J.; De Pauli, Carlos P. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol. 202, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1006/jcis.1998.5402	journal	June 1998
Efficiency of quicklime in reducing the swelling potential of pulverized expansive shale, Northern Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Abu Seif, El-Sayed Sedek Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, Vol. 74, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-014-0658-9	journal	August 2014
The effect of polyvinyl alcohol solution with a high degree of alcoholysis on the expansion and cracking behaviour of quicklime-treated soil in earthen sites Zhang, Qiyong; Chen, Wenwu; Fan, Wenjun Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, Vol. 80, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02165-x	journal	March 2021
Influence of Infiltration of Sodium Chloride Solutions on SWCC of Compacted Bentonite–Sand Specimens Ravi, K.; Rao, Sudhakar M. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, Vol. 31, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-013-9650-6	journal	April 2013
Chemical composition and surface charge properties of montmorillonite Liu, Xiao-wen; Hu, Min; Hu, Yue-hua Journal of Central South University of Technology, Vol. 15, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-008-0037-4	journal	April 2008
Effect of alkaline solutions on bentonite properties Anh, Ha Ngoc; Ahn, Hyangsig; Jo, Ho Young Environmental Earth Sciences, Vol. 76, Issue 10 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-017-6704-8	journal	May 2017
Coupled thermal-hydro analysis of unsaturated buffer and backfill in a high-level waste repository Lee, Jae Owan; Birch, Kenneth; Choi, Heui-Joo Annals of Nuclear Energy, Vol. 72 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2014.04.027	journal	October 2014
Thermal conductivity of bentonite-graphite mixture and its prediction for high-level radioactive waste repository Peng, Fan; Tan, Yunzhi; Sun, De'an Annals of Nuclear Energy, Vol. 154 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2021.108142	journal	May 2021
Fiber-reinforced geopolymer composites: A review Ranjbar, Navid; Zhang, Mingzhong Cement and Concrete Composites, Vol. 107 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2019.103498	journal	March 2020
On the long-term migration of uranyl in bentonite barrier for high-level radioactive waste repositories: The effect of different host rocks Cao, Xiaoyuan; Zheng, Liange; Hou, Deyi Chemical Geology, Vol. 525 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2019.07.006	journal	October 2019
Influence of dry density and water content on the swelling of a compacted bentonite Villar, M. Victoria; Lloret, Antonio Applied Clay Science, Vol. 39, Issue 1-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2007.04.007	journal	April 2008
Cryo-FIB–SEM and MIP study of porosity and pore size distribution of bentonite and kaolin at different moisture contents Lubelli, B.; de Winter, D. A. M.; Post, J. A. Applied Clay Science, Vol. 80-81 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2013.06.032	journal	August 2013
Swelling pressure and hydraulic conductivity of compacted GMZ01 bentonite under salinization–desalinization cycle conditions Chen, Yong-Gui; Zhu, Chun-Min; Ye, Wei-Min Applied Clay Science, Vol. 114 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2015.06.033	journal	September 2015
Effect of temperature on the rheological properties of neat aqueous Wyoming sodium bentonite dispersions Vryzas, Zisis; Kelessidis, Vassilios C.; Nalbantian, Lori Applied Clay Science, Vol. 136 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2016.11.007	journal	February 2017
Effect of wet-dry cycles on polymer treated bentonite in seawater: swelling ability, hydraulic conductivity and crack analysis De Camillis, Michela; Di Emidio, Gemmina; Bezuijen, Adam Applied Clay Science, Vol. 142 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2016.11.011	journal	June 2017
A study on desiccation cracking behavior of polyester fiber-reinforced expansive clay Chaduvula, Uma; Viswanadham, B. V. S.; Kodikara, Jayantha Applied Clay Science, Vol. 142 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2017.02.008	journal	June 2017
Polypropylene fiber reinforced bentonite for waste containment barriers Thyagaraj, T.; Soujanya, D. Applied Clay Science, Vol. 142 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2017.02.009	journal	June 2017
Hydration kinetics of bentonite buffer material: Influence of vapor pressure, bentonite plasticity, and compaction density Bharat, Tadikonda Venkata; Gapak, Yagom Applied Clay Science, Vol. 157 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2018.02.029	journal	June 2018
Review of application of molecular dynamic simulations in geological high-level radioactive waste disposal Ma, Zhaoyang; Pathegama Gamage, Ranjith; Rathnaweera, Tharaka Applied Clay Science, Vol. 168 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2018.11.018	journal	February 2019
Temperature dependence of apparent thermal conductivity of compacted bentonites as buffer material for high-level radioactive waste repository Xu, Yunshan; Sun, De'an; Zeng, Zhaotian Applied Clay Science, Vol. 174 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2019.03.017	journal	June 2019
Bentonite alteration and retention of cesium and iodide ions by Ca-bentonite in alkaline and saline solutions Goo, Ja-Young; Kim, Bong-Ju; Kwon, Jang-Soon Applied Clay Science, Vol. 245 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2023.107141	journal	December 2023
Sorption kinetic of water vapour of MX80 bentonite submitted to different physical–chemical and mechanical conditions Montes-H, G.; Geraud, Y. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Vol. 235, Issue 1-3 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2004.01.013	journal	March 2004
Interpretation of adhesion behaviors between bacteria and modified basalt fiber by surface thermodynamics and extended DLVO theory Zhang, Xiaoying; Zhou, Xiangtong; Xi, Haipeng Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, Vol. 177 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2019.02.035	journal	May 2019
Optimal initial condition of a bentonite buffer with regard to thermal behavior in a high-level radioactive waste repository Kim, Min-Jun; Lee, Seung-Rae; Yoon, Seok Computers and Geotechnics, Vol. 104 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2018.08.011	journal	December 2018
Are natural fiber composites environmentally superior to glass fiber reinforced composites? Joshi, S. V.; Drzal, L. T.; Mohanty, A. K. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, Vol. 35, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2003.09.016	journal	March 2004
A short review on basalt fiber reinforced polymer composites Dhand, Vivek; Mittal, Garima; Rhee, Kyong Yop Composites Part B: Engineering, Vol. 73 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2014.12.011	journal	May 2015
Chemical durability and performance of modified basalt fiber in concrete medium Afroz, Mahzabin; Patnaikuni, Indubhushan; Venkatesan, Srikanth Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 154 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.07.153	journal	November 2017
A new approach to improve mechanical properties and durability of low-density oil well cement composite reinforced by cellulose fibres in microstructural scale Cheng, X. W.; Khorami, Morteza; Shi, Y. Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 177 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.05.134	journal	July 2018
Investigation on the alkali resistance of basalt fiber and its textile in different alkaline environments Wang, Qingxuan; Ding, Yining; Randl, Norbert Construction and Building Materials, Vol. 272 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121670	journal	February 2021
Effect of polypropylene fibre and lime admixture on engineering properties of clayey soil Cai, Yi; Shi, Bin; Ng, Charles W. W. Engineering Geology, Vol. 87, Issue 3-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2006.07.007	journal	November 2006
Experiment evidence on the temperature dependence of desiccation cracking behavior of clayey soils Tang, Chao-Sheng; Cui, Yu-Jun; Tang, Anh-Minh Engineering Geology, Vol. 114, Issue 3-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2010.05.003	journal	August 2010
Long-term experimental evidences of saturation of compacted bentonite under repository conditions Villar, M. V.; Martín, P. L.; Bárcena, I. Engineering Geology, Vol. 149-150 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2012.08.004	journal	November 2012
A comparative study on the hydro-mechanical behavior of compacted bentonite/sand plug based on laboratory and field infiltration tests Wang, Qiong; Tang, Anh Minh; Cui, Yu-Jun Engineering Geology, Vol. 162 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2013.05.009	journal	July 2013
Investigation of the thermal-hydro-mechanical (THM) behavior of GMZ bentonite in the China-Mock-up test Chen, L.; Liu, Y. M.; Wang, J. Engineering Geology, Vol. 172 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.01.008	journal	April 2014
Observations on the desiccation and cracking of clay layers Tollenaar, R. N.; van Paassen, L. A.; Jommi, C. Engineering Geology, Vol. 230 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2017.08.022	journal	November 2017
A study on bearing capacity of randomly distributed fiber-reinforced sand fills overlying soft clay Yetimoglu, T.; Inanir, M.; Esatinanir, O. Geotextiles and Geomembranes, Vol. 23, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2004.09.004	journal	April 2005
Investigation on the interfacial mechanical behavior of wave-shaped fiber reinforced soil by pullout test Tang, Chao-Sheng; Li, Jian; Wang, De-Yin Geotextiles and Geomembranes, Vol. 44, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2016.05.001	journal	December 2016
Thermo-hydro-mechanical properties of bentonite-sand-graphite-polypropylene fiber mixtures as buffer materials for a high-level radioactive waste repository Liu, Xiaoyan; Cai, Guojun; Liu, Lulu International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 141 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2019.07.015	journal	October 2019
Aging of alkali-resistant glass and basalt fibers in alkaline solutions: Evaluation of the failure stress by Weibull distribution function Scheffler, C.; Förster, T.; Mäder, E. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Vol. 355, Issue 52-54 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2009.09.018	journal	December 2009
Thermal effects on clay rocks for deep disposal of high-level radioactive waste Zhang, Chun-Liang; Conil, Nathalie; Armand, Gilles Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 9, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2016.08.006	journal	June 2017
High alkali-resistant basalt fiber for reinforcing concrete Lipatov, Ya. V.; Gutnikov, S. I.; Manylov, M. S. Materials & Design, Vol. 73 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2015.02.022	journal	May 2015
Applicability of the ‘cubic law’ for non-Darcian fracture flow Ranjith, P. G.; Viete, D. R. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Vol. 78, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2011.07.015	journal	August 2011
Effect of gamma radiation on the mechanical properties of natural silk fiber and synthetic E-glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composites: A comparative study Shubhra, Quazi T. H.; Alam, A. K. M. M. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Vol. 80, Issue 11 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2011.04.010	journal	November 2011
A study on the effect of compaction on transport properties of soil gas and water I: Relative gas diffusivity, air permeability, and saturated hydraulic conductivity Kuncoro, P. H.; Koga, K.; Satta, N. Soil and Tillage Research, Vol. 143 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2014.02.006	journal	November 2014
Theory of dynamic permeability and tortuosity in fluid-saturated porous media Johnson, David Linton; Koplik, Joel; Dashen, Roger Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 176, Issue -1 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022112087000727	journal	March 1987
Validity of Cubic Law for fluid flow in a deformable rock fracture Witherspoon, P. A.; Wang, J. S. Y.; Iwai, K. Water Resources Research, Vol. 16, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1029/WR016i006p01016	journal	December 1980
Quantifying the anisotropy and tortuosity of permeable pathways in clay-rich mudstones using models based on X-ray tomography Backeberg, Nils R.; Iacoviello, Francesco; Rittner, Martin Scientific Reports, Vol. 7, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-14810-1	journal	November 2017
Fully Coupled Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical Double-Porosity Formulation for Unsaturated Soils Sánchez, Marcelo; Gens, Antonio; Villar, Maria Victoria International Journal of Geomechanics, Vol. 16, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000728	journal	December 2016
Laboratory Investigation on Strength Characteristics of Expansive Soil Treated with Jute Fiber Reinforcement Wang, Yi-Xian; Guo, Pan-Pan; Ren, Wei-Xin International Journal of Geomechanics, Vol. 17, Issue 11 https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000998	journal	November 2017
Hydraulic Conductivity of Geosynthetic Clay Liners to Low-Level Radioactive Waste Leachate Tian, Kuo; Benson, Craig H.; Likos, William J. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Vol. 142, Issue 8 https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001495	journal	August 2016
A green material from rock: basalt fiber – a review Jamshaid, Hafsa; Mishra, Rajesh The Journal of The Textile Institute, Vol. 107, Issue 7 https://doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2015.1071940	journal	July 2015
Surface degradation properties of ultraviolet treated epoxy/glass fiber Lee, B. S.; Lee, D. C. IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, Vol. 6, Issue 6 https://doi.org/10.1109/94.822036	journal	January 1999
Inorganic Fibers-A Literature Review Cooke, Theodore F. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Vol. 74, Issue 12 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1151-2916.1991.tb04289.x	journal	December 1991
EC FORGE project: updated consideration of gas generation and migration in the safety case Norris, Simon Geological Society, London, Special Publications, Vol. 415, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1144/SP415.8	journal	November 2014
Fiberglass Surface and Its Electrokinetic Properties Dong, Daojie International Nonwovens Journal, Vol. os-8, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1177/1558925099OS-800218	journal	June 1999
Distinguishing between more and less suitable bentonites for storage of high-level radioactive waste Kaufhold, S.; Dohrmann, R. Clay Minerals, Vol. 51, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1180/claymin.2016.051.2.14	journal	May 2016
Chemical and mineralogical reactions of bentonites in geotechnical barriers at elevated temperatures: review of experimental evidence and modelling progress Kaufhold, Stephan; Dohrmann, Reiner; Wallis, Ilka Clay Minerals, Vol. 58, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1180/clm.2023.26	journal	September 2023
The pH of aqueous bentonite suspensions Kaufhold, Stephan; Dohrmann, Reiner; Koch, Dietrich Clays and Clay Minerals, Vol. 56, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.2008.0560304	journal	June 2008
Porosity Evolution of Free and Confined Bentonites during Interlayer Hydration Likos, William J.; Wayllace, Alexandra Clays and Clay Minerals, Vol. 58, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.2010.0580310	journal	June 2010
The Perspectives of the Natural Smectite Clay Application for the Creation of a Geological Repository of Radioactive Waste in Ukraine Shabalin, B. G.; Lavrynenko, O. M.; Kosorukov, P. O. Mineralogical Journal, Vol. 40, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.15407/mineraljournal.40.04.065	journal	January 2018
Evaluating the mechanical properties of E-Glass fiber/carbon fiber reinforced interpenetrating polymer networks Suresh, G.; Jayakumari, L. S. Polímeros, Vol. 25, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1428.1650	journal	February 2015
Salient factors controlling desiccation cracking of clay in laboratory experiments Costa, S.; Kodikara, J.; Shannon, B. Géotechnique, Vol. 63, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.9.P.105	journal	January 2013
Enhanced bentonites for containment of inorganic waste leachates by GCLs Scalia, J.; Bohnhoff, G. L.; Shackelford, C. D. Geosynthetics International, Vol. 25, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1680/jgein.18.00024	journal	August 2018
A Gas Diffusivity Model Based on Air‐, Solid‐, and Water‐Phase Resistance in Variably Saturated Soil Thorbjørn, Anne; Moldrup, Per; Blendstrup, Helle Vadose Zone Journal, Vol. 7, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.2136/vzj2008.0023	journal	November 2008
Oxygen diffusion in soils: Understanding the factors and processes needed for modeling Neira, José; Ortiz, Mauricio; Morales, Luis Chilean journal of agricultural research, Vol. 75 https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-58392015000300005	journal	January 2015

Similar Records

Evaluation of Desiccation Behavior in Basalt Microfiber–Reinforced Bentonite Clay for Geological Repositories of Nuclear Spent Fuel Using Digital Image Correlation

Journal Article · Mon Nov 13 23:00:00 EST 2023 · Journal of Testing and Evaluation · OSTI ID:2580210

Permeability of microcracked fiber-reinforced containment barriers

Journal Article · Tue Oct 31 23:00:00 EST 1995 · Waste Management · OSTI ID:118654

Hydraulic conductivity of desiccated geosynthetic clay liners

Journal Article · Thu Feb 29 23:00:00 EST 1996 · Journal of Geotechnical Engineering · OSTI ID:207865

Evaluation of desiccation cracking characteristics of inorganic micro-fiber-reinforced engineered barrier material (IMEBM) for geological repository

Citation Formats

References (68)

Similar Records

Related Subjects