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- Title
Water Content Evolution in the EDZ of Opalinus Clay: A Methodic Approach for a Comparative Interpretation of Measurements and Modelling.
- Authors
Ziefle, Gesa; Cajuhi, Tuanny; Costabel, Stephan; Furche, Markus; Maßmann, Jobst
- Abstract
In the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory (Switzerland), an interdisciplinary examination program is carried out to increase knowledge about coupled hydro-mechanical effects in Opalinus Clay, which are of significant interest regarding the stability and integrity of a potential storage facility for high-level radioactive waste. This article focuses on the characterization of the claystone in the near field of excavations and related hydraulic effects due to excavation and ventilation. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is applied to characterize the OPA: Several open fractures correlate with regions of high resistivity values, indicating potential preferential flow paths that are relevant for transport processes. Due to the combined interpretation of ERT long-term monitoring and seasonally repeated nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements, a relationship between electrical resistivity and water content can be established, resulting also in a time-dependent map of the water content around excavations with different climatic conditions. The statistical interpretation of these measurements indicates the existence of small-scale singularities in contrast to dominating, more homogeneous zones. The presented approach leads to a better process understanding of these heterogeneous near field effects and provides a valuable basis for a pragmatic approach to safety assessment. Highlights: Methodic approach to provide a time-dependent map of the water content around an excavation in the sandy facies of Opalinus Clay (OPA). Identification and statistical evaluation of potential flow paths (micro-cracking areas) in the near field of excavations with regard to numerical safety analysis. Establishment of the relationship between electrical resistivity and water content in the sandy facies of OPA based on combined evaluation of ERT and NMR measurements. Impact of heterogeneity and technical boundary conditions on the evolution of the water content and the permeability. Combined interpretation of multi-disciplinary methods aiming on a detailed process understanding and characterization of coupled hydraulic-mechanical effects in Mont Terri OPA.
- Subjects
RADIOACTIVE wastes; COMPARATIVE method; WASTE storage; RADIOACTIVE waste sites; POTENTIAL flow; RADIOACTIVE waste disposal; NUCLEAR magnetic resonance; ELECTRICAL resistivity
- Publication
Rock Mechanics & Rock Engineering, 2024, Vol 57, Issue 6, p4443
- ISSN
0723-2632
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s00603-023-03717-1