Technical approach to resolving issues on rock mechanics as applied to development of a nuclear waste repository in a crystalline rock formation
This paper summarizes the technical efforts for resolving issues on rock mechanics as applied to development of a nuclear waste repository in a crystalline rock formation. This section provides background information and definitions pertinent to rock mechanics. Section 2.0 presents the rock mechanics issues related to licensing, design, and construction of a waste repository. Section 3.0 presents the technical approach to the resolution of issues and concludes that a multi-faceted approach involving principally site characterization, laboratory testing, numerical modeling and analysis, and in situ testing and monitoring is required. While this technical approach is directed to further scientific understanding and quantification of the phenomena involved accompanying the thermal heating of rock from nuclear waste, it is emphasized that formulation of a design basis for an engineered rock structure will precede the development of a large waste repository. Section 4.0 summarizes the status of resolution activities in the areas of thermomechanical effects, coupled thermal, mechanical, and hydrological phenomena, mine-induced fracturing, mine stability, and seismicity. Section 5.0 gives a concluding statement. Under the present project plans, technical activities are proceeding on multiple fronts involving field, laboratory, and numerical modeling and analysis studies of the important phenomena related to the disposal of radioactive waste in crystalline rock. The advancement of the state of the art in rock mechanics from these activities will culminate in the risk analysis and the formulation of a design basis for repositories.
- Research Organization:
- Rockwell International Corp., Richland, WA (USA). Rockwell Hanford Operations
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-77RL01030
- OSTI ID:
- 5388323
- Report Number(s):
- RHO-BWI-SA-51; CONF-800377-1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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58 GEOSCIENCES
580300 -- Mineralogy
Petrology
& Rock Mechanics-- (-1989)
BASALT
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
DATA ANALYSIS
FAILURES
FIELD TESTS
FRACTURES
GRANITES
IGNEOUS ROCKS
MANAGEMENT
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEETINGS
PLUTONIC ROCKS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
ROCK MECHANICS
ROCKS
SEISMOLOGY
STABILITY
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TESTING
TUFF
VOLCANIC ROCKS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT