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The Impact of Episodic Nonequilibrium Fracture-Matrix Flow on Repository Performance at the Potential Yucca Mountain Site

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

Thomas A. Buscheck ,
John J. Nitao  and
Dwayne A. Chesnut
Thomas A. Buscheck
Affiliation:
Earth Sciences Department, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory P.O. Box 808, L-206, Livermore, CA 94550 (510) 423-9390, (510) 423-0297, (510) 423-5053
John J. Nitao
Affiliation:
Earth Sciences Department, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory P.O. Box 808, L-206, Livermore, CA 94550 (510) 423-9390, (510) 423-0297, (510) 423-5053
Dwayne A. Chesnut
Affiliation:
Earth Sciences Department, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory P.O. Box 808, L-206, Livermore, CA 94550 (510) 423-9390, (510) 423-0297, (510) 423-5053
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Abstract

Adequate representation of fracture-matrix interaction during episodic infiltration events is crucial in making valid hydrological predictions of repository performance at Yucca Mountain. Approximations have been applied to represent fracture-matrix flow interaction, including the Equivalent Continuum Model, which assumes capillary equilibrium between fractures and matrix, and the Fracture-Matrix Model, which accounts for nonequilibrium fracture-matrix flow. We analyze the impact of matrix imbibition on episodic nonequilibrium fracture-matrix flow and transport for the eight major hydrostratigraphic units in the unsaturated zone at Yucca Mountain.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 257: Symposium – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XV , 1991 , 607
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1992

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References

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