Effects of long-term exposure of tuffs to high-level nuclear waste-repository conditions. Preliminary report

Technical Report · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/59135· OSTI ID:59135

Blacic, J; Carter, J; Halleck, P; Johnson, P; Shankland, T; Andersen, R; Spicochi, K; Heller, A

Tests have been performed to explore the effects of extended exposure of tuffs from the southwestern portion of the Nevada Test Site to temperatures and pressures similar to those that will be encountered in a high-level nuclear waste repository. Tuff samples ranging from highly welded, nonzeolitized to unwelded, highly zeolitized varieties were subjected to temperatures of 80, 120, and 180{sup 0}C; confining pressures of 9.7 and 19.7 MPa; and water-pore pressures of 0.5 to 19.7 MPa for durations of 2 to 6 months. The following basic properties were measured before and after exposure and compared: tensile strength, uniaxial compressive strength, grain density, porosity, mineralogy, permeability, thermal expansion, and thermal conductivity. Depending on rock type and exposure conditions, significant changes in ambient tensile strength, compressive strength, grain density, and porosity were measured. Mineralogic examination, permeability, and thermal property measurements remain to be completed.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 59135
• Report Number(s): LA--9174-PR; ON: DE82009549
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
58 GEOSCIENCES
BULK DENSITY
COMPRESSION STRENGTH
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FIELD TESTS
GRAIN DENSITY
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MINERALOGY
NEVADA TEST SITE
PERMEABILITY
POROSITY
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
THERMAL EXPANSION
TUFF
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
Yucca Mountain Project