Abstract
Abstract This paper describes the thermohydromechanical (THM) simulation of engineered barrier systems (EBS) for the final disposal of nuclear spent fuel in Finland. The bentonite barriers were simulated with the Barcelona Basic Model and the model was calibrated from laboratory tests. The evolution of gap closure and the presence of a fracture intersecting the disposal were analysed. The simulations were performed in 2D axisymmetrical geometries. Full 3D simulations were carried out in order to check the effect of the third dimension. The time required for the barriers to reach full saturation, the maximum temperature, deformations and displacements at the buffer–backfill interface and the homogenization of components both locally and globally are the main interests. The effect of rock fracture and the hydraulic conductivity of the rock are subjected to 2D sensitivity analyses.
Highlights
The final disposal of nuclear spent fuel in crystalline bedrock is developing in Finland
This paper describes the thermohydromechanical (THM) simulation of engineered barrier systems (EBS) for the final disposal of nuclear spent fuel in Finland
The bentonite barriers were simulated with the Barcelona Basic Model and the model was calibrated from laboratory tests
Summary
The final disposal of nuclear spent fuel in crystalline bedrock is developing in Finland. There are three critical zones that are considered relevant in this THM model, these are: (1) ‘the buffer–backfill interface’ (Akesson et al 2010; Leoni 2013), where the vertical displacements show the largest values; (2) ‘canister wall in contact with the buffer’, the maximum temperature of the engineered barrier is reached on this surface (Ikonen 2003), and desaturation of the buffer takes place because of intense heating from the canister; and (3) ‘buffer blocks under the canister’, the maximum stresses are achieved here owing to the combination of the canister weight and swelling of the clay materials.
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