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Estimations Of Changes in Microcrack-Population, Elastic Modulus, and Permeability, Due to Differential-Thermal Expansion in Plutonic Rock Surrounding A Nuclear Fuel Waste Disposal Vault

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2011

B. J. Wilkins ,
Y. Liner  and
G. L. Rigby
B. J. Wilkins
Affiliation:
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Pinawa, Manitoba ROE 1L0
Y. Liner
Affiliation:
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Pinawa, Manitoba ROE 1L0
G. L. Rigby
Affiliation:
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Pinawa, Manitoba ROE 1L0
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Abstract

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is studying the disposal of nuclear fuel-waste in a vault in plutonic rock. An important part of this study is to develop models to assess the rate of escape of waste components to the biosphere. In these models time-dependent changes in the system are important. One such change is the increase in temperature of the rock mass immediately surrounding the vault, and in the far-field. Differential- thermal expansion between rock constituents (crystals), and the expansion of trapped water, will produce microcracking and, hence, possibly changes in intact-rock elastic modulus and permeability. This paper describes the model devised to estimate the extent of microcracking in rock surrounding a vault, and the anticipated changes in rock elastic modulus and permeability. The model is applied to a possible vault, located at various depths in plutonic rock typical of the Canadian Shield. It estimates the dimensions of an envelope outside of which the influence of the vault on microcracking will be negligible.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 50: Symposium STOCKHOLM – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management IX , 1985 , 99
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1985

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References

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