Testing conceptual unsaturated zone flow models for Yucca Mountain

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:60939

Brown, T P; Lehman, L L ^[1]; Nieber, J L ^[2]

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1. L. Lehman & Associates, Inc., Burnsville, MN (United States)
2. Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN (United States)

An important component of site characterization and suitability assessment of the proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada is determination of the most appropriate conceptual model of the hydrologic mechanisms governing saturated and unsaturated flow for the site. As observers in the ITNRAVAL Unsaturated Zone Working Group, L. Lehman & Associates conducted a modeling exercise which numerically examined alternative conceptual flow models. Information was provided to the Working Group by the U.S. Geological Survey. Additional published data were utilized to fill in data gaps and to provide additional confidence in results. Data were modeled utilizing one and two dimensional matrix and fracture numerical models. Good agreement was obtained using a 2-dimensional dual porosity fracture flow model. Additional measures are needed to constrain the field conditions enough to validate conceptual models using numerical models. Geochemical data on tritium, chlorine-36, or carbon-14 concentrations or temperature profiles which can give estimates of time since recharge for water in the unsaturated zone, are needed to eliminate the non-uniqueness of various model solutions.

• Research Organization: American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, NY (United States); American Nuclear Society, La Grange Park, IL (United States)
• OSTI ID: 60939
• Report Number(s): CONF-940553--Vol.4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
CARBON 14
CHLORINE 36
FLOW MODELS
GEOCHEMISTRY
GROUND WATER
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
HYDRODYNAMICS
POROSITY
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RECHARGE
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRITIUM
VALIDATION
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
Yucca Mountain Project