Pretest parametric calculations for the heated pillar experiment in the WIPP In-Situ Experimental Area
Results are presented for a pretest parametric study of several configurations and heat loads for the heated pillar experiment (Room H) in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) In Situ Experimental Area. The purpose of this study is to serve as a basis for selection of a final experiment geometry and heat load. The experiment consists of a pillar of undisturbed rock salt surrounded by an excavated annular room. The pillar surface is covered by a blanket heat source which is externally insulated. A total of five thermal and ten structural calculations are described in a four to five year experimental time frame. Results are presented which include relevant temperature-time histories, deformations, rock salt stress component and effective stress profiles, and maximum stresses in anhydrite layers which are in close proximity to the room. Also included are predicted contours of a conservative post-processed measure of potential salt failure. Observed displacement histories are seen to be highly dependent on pillar and room height, but insensitive to other geometrical variations. The use of a tensile cutoff across slidelines is seen to produce more accurate predictions of anhydrite maximum stress, but to have little effect on rock salt stresses. The potential for salt failure is seen to be small in each case for the time frame of interest, and is only seen at longer times in the center of the room floor.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6409833
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-82-2781; ON: DE83009475
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
CONFIGURATION
DEFORMATION
FEDERAL REGION VI
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MANAGEMENT
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
SALT DEPOSITS
STRESS ANALYSIS
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
USA
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT