Preliminary characterization of the petrologic, bulk, and mechanical properties of a lithophysal zone within the Topopah Spring Member of the Paintbrush Tuff

Technical Report · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:59582

Price, R H; Nimick, F B; Connolly, J R; Keil, K; Schwartz, B M; Spence, S J

Ten large samples of lithophysal tuff were studied as part of the nuclear waste repository project at Yucca Mountain in southern Nevada. Macroscopic and microscopic examination led to division of the tuff into three components: (1) a very fine-grained, relatively nonporous, feldspar- and cristobalite-rich matrix; and (2) a coarser, more porous, feldspar- and tridymite-rich vapor-phase-altered material usually found encircling; and (3) lithophysae, which are cavities often lined with tridymite and occasionally contain carbonate-rich fillings. Results from mechanical tests provided compressive strengths which are lower, and Young`s moduli which are higher, than values predicted from effective porosity. 17 figures, 7 tables.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States); New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque, NM (United States). Dept. of Geology
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 59582
• Report Number(s): SAND--84-0860; ON: DE85009496
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
58 GEOSCIENCES
BULK DENSITY
DEFORMATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GRAIN DENSITY
PETROLOGY
POISSON RATIO
POROSITY
STRESSES
TUFF
YOUNG MODULUS
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
Yucca Mountain Project