Thermal effects on clay rocks for deep disposal of high-level radioactive waste

Abstract

Thermal effects on the Callovo-Oxfordian and Opalinus clay rocks for hosting high-level radioactive waste were comprehensively investigated with laboratory and in situ experiments under repository relevant conditions: (1) stresses covering the range from the initial lithostatic state to redistributed levels after excavation, (2) hydraulic drained and undrained boundaries, and (3) heating from ambient temperature up to 90 °C–120 °C and a subsequent cooling phase. The laboratory experiments were performed on normal-sized and large hollow cylindrical samples in various respects of thermal expansion and contraction, thermally-induced pore water pressure, temperature influences on deformation and strength, thermal impacts on swelling, fracture sealing and permeability. The laboratory results obtained from the samples are consistent with the in situ observations during heating experiments in the underground research laboratories at Bure and Mont-Terri. Even though the claystones showed significant responses to thermal loading, no negative effects on their favorable barrier properties were observed.

Keywords

• Clay rock
• Thermal effects
• Pore pressure
• Deformation
• Strength
• Permeability
• Sealing of fractures
• Repository