Drift Scale Modeling: Study of Unsaturated Flow into a Drift Using a Stochastic Continuum Model
Unsaturated flow in heterogeneous fractured porous rock was simulated using a stochastic continuum model (SCM). In this model, both the more conductive fractures and the less permeable matrix are generated within the framework of a single continuum stochastic approach, based on non-parametric indicator statistics. High-permeable fracture zones are distinguished from low-permeable matrix zones in that they have assigned a long range correlation structure in prescribed directions. The SCM was applied to study small-scale flow in the vicinity of an access tunnel, which is currently being drilled in the unsaturated fractured tuff formations at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Extensive underground testing is underway in this tunnel to investigate the suitability of Yucca Mountain as an underground nuclear waste repository. Different flow scenarios were studied in the present paper, considering the flow conditions before and after the tunnel emplacement, and assuming steady-state net infiltration as well as episodic pulse infiltration. Although the capability of the stochastic continuum model has not yet been fully explored, it has been demonstrated that the SCM is a good alternative model feasible of describing heterogeneous flow processes in unsaturated fractured tuff at Yucca Mountain.
- Research Organization:
- Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US) (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, Yucca Mountain (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 760278
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-40679; R&D Project: 803D72; TRN: US0004702
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 1 Sep 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES, AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
POROUS MATERIALS
TUFF
FLUID FLOW
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
PERMEABILITY
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
TUNNELS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
SITE CHARACTERIZATION