Scenarios constructed for the effects of tectonic processes on the potential nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain

Technical Report · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/414332· OSTI ID:414332

Barr, G E; Borns, D J ^[1]; Fridrich, C ^[2]

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1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
2. Geological Survey, Lakewood, CO (United States)

A comprehensive collection of scenarios is presented that connect initiating tectonic events with radionuclide releases by logical and physically possible combinations or sequences of features, events and processes. The initiating tectonic events include both discrete faulting and distributed rock deformation developed through the repository and adjacent to it, as well as earthquake-induced ground motion and changes in tectonic stress at the site. The effects of these tectonic events include impacts on the engineered-barrier system, such as container rupture and failure of repository tunnels. These effects also include a wide range of hydrologic effects such as changes in pathways and flow rates in the unsaturated and saturated zones, changes in the water-table configuration, and in the development of perched-water systems. These scenarios are intended go guide performance-assessment analyses and to assist principal investigators in how essential field, laboratory, and calculational studies are used. This suite of scenarios will help ensure that all important aspects of the system disturbance related to a tectonic scenario are captured in numerical analyses. It also provides a record of all options considered by project analysts to provide documentation required for licensing agreement. The final portion of this report discusses issues remaining to be addressed with respect to tectonic activity. 105 refs.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 414332
• Report Number(s): SAND--96-1132; ON: DE97001467
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS
FORECASTING
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC MODELS
HYDROLOGY
PERFORMANCE
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
SEISMIC EFFECTS
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
TECTONICS
YUCCA MOUNTAIN