Spatial characterization of the physical process parameters in rock mass during construction of the underground facility for the RW disposal

Abstract

Substantiation of the suitability of the subsoil area for the construction of a radioactive waste repository in deep geological formations is a consequential multistage process, including the studies on the scale of "district", "site", "plot". In near future in Russia it is planned to start work on sinking permanent mine openings of the underground research laboratory (URL). The purpose of this article is to provide a brief analysis of international and local research experience in underground research laboratories and their equivalents, as well as the deep geological repository (DGR) safety requirements to determine the scope of work on scientific and technical support for the URL construction. A brief review of the applied research methods is presented on the following aspects: Parameters characterizing structural and tectonic condition of the rock mass-rupture zones, fracture zones of various origins, monolith areas; geomechanical characteristics (stress-strain state, deformability and strength); hydrogeological characteristics of the mass elements and groundwater flow patterns; characteristics of the physical and chemical processes of interaction between groundwater and rocks and materials of engineering barriers.

Sorption and Spatial Distribution of 137Cs, 90Sr and 241Am on Mineral Phases of Fractured Rocks of Nizhnekansky Granitoid Massif

“…One of the most significant factors affecting the safety of radioactive waste disposal in crystalline rocks is the presence of fractured zones in them, which influence the stability of the rocks, the intensity of deformation and the water permeability [12]. It is assumed that cracks are both the main migration pathways for radionuclides and their retention in the porous rock matrix made by finely dispersed mineral phases [13][14][15].…”