Measuring geomechanical properties of Topopah Spring Tuff at the 1-meter scale
The Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Project is studying physical and chemical properties of Topopah Spring tuff and coupled thermal, mechanical, hydrological, and geochemical processes expected in the near-field environment of the potential waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Investigating the suitability of Topopah Spring tuff as a host rock for radioactive waste disposal includes measuring mechanical properties. Since heterogeneities vary with scale, from vugs and cracks at the hand-sample scale to fractures and vertical variations in degree of welding at the outcrop scale, mechanical properties of the tuff depend on scale. The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has planned a Large Block Test (LBT) to investigate rock mass properties and coupled processes at elevated temperatures in Topopah Spring tuff at the scale of a few meters. This paper describes planned laboratory experiments in support of the LBT, to measure elastic properties and mechanical behavior of Topopah Spring tuff at the scale of a few cm to 1 m. The laboratory experiments will include measurement of stress-strain behavior, acoustic emissions during heating, and elastic wave velocities in small blocks of tuff.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 71284
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC--119121; CONF-950570--18; ON: DE95011441
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Geomechanics investigations in support of the large block test at Fran Ridge, Nye County, Nevada.
Geomechanical properties of Topopah Spring Tuff at the 0.5-m scale: preliminary results of compression tests at elevated temperature
Related Subjects
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
DEFORMATION
ELASTICITY
EXPERIMENT PLANNING
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
ROCK MECHANICS
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMAL EXPANSION
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TUFF
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
Yucca Mountain Project