Analyzing flow patterns in unsaturated fractured rock of YuccaMountain using an integrated modeling approach

Journal Article · Mon Nov 03 04:00:00 EST 2003 · Hydrogeology Journal

OSTI ID:929069

Wu, Yu-Shu; Lu, Guoping; Zhang, Keni; Pan, Lehua; Bodvarsson, Gudmundur S

This paper presents a series of modeling investigations to characterize percolation patterns in the unsaturated zone of Yucca Mountain, Nevada, a proposed underground repository site for storing high-level radioactive waste. The investigations are conducted using a modeling approach that integrates a wide variety of moisture, pneumatic, thermal, and isotopic geochemical field data into a comprehensive three-dimensional numerical model through model calibration. This integrated modeling approach, based on a dual-continuum formulation, takes into account the coupled processes of fluid and heat flow and chemical isotopic transport in Yucca Mountain's highly heterogeneous, unsaturated fractured tuffs. In particular, the model results are examined against different types of field-measured data and used to evaluate different hydrogeological conceptual models and their effects on flow patterns in the unsaturated zone. The objective of this work to provide understanding of percolation patterns and flow behavior through the unsaturated zone, which is a crucial issue in assessing repository performance.

• Research Organization: Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley NationalLaboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOEOffice of Civilian Radioactive WasteManagement
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 929069
• Report Number(s): LBNL--54006; BnR: 820201000
• Journal Information: Hydrogeology Journal, Journal Name: Hydrogeology Journal Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 15
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
CALIBRATION
HEAT FLUX
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MOISTURE
PERFORMANCE
SIMULATION
TRANSPORT
YUCCA MOUNTAIN