Experimental evaluation of the hydraulic resistance of compacted bentonite/Boom Clay interface

Anh-Minh Tang, Juan Jorge Munoz, Yu-Jun Cui, Pierre Delage, Xiang Ling Li, Guangjing Chen

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    In the framework of the in-situ PRACLAY Heater experiment to be performed in the HADES URF in Mol (Belgium), the feasibility of a hydraulic cut-off of the Excavation Damaged Zone (EDZ) and the Repository Components (RC) of the disposal galleries by using a horizontal seal will be examined. It has been planned to install an annular seal composed of compacted bentonite between the heated zone and the access gallery (PRACLAY seal test), so that to avoid any hydraulic shortcut towards the access gallery. According to numerical scoping calculations, heating until 80 °C will induce a pore pressure of the order of 3.0 MPa. In order to verify the effects of this water pressure on the performance of the annular seal system and more specifically on the hydraulic resistance of the interface between the compacted bentonite and the host rock (Boom clay), laboratory percolation tests at 20 and 80 °C were performed. The results confirm the performance of the compacted bentonite seal to avoid the hydraulic shortcut to the access gallery under the foreseen hydraulic and thermal conditions.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the International Technical Conference on the Practical Aspects of Deep Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste
    Place of PublicationFrance
    Pages1-9
    StatePublished - Jun 2008
    EventInternational Technical Conference on the Practical Aspects of Deep Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste - EC ESDRED, Prague
    Duration: 16 Jun 200818 Jun 2008

    Conference

    ConferenceInternational Technical Conference on the Practical Aspects of Deep Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste
    Country/TerritoryCzech Republic
    CityPrague
    Period2008-06-162008-06-18

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