Stability and Construction of Caverns for The Disposal Of Cemented Low-And Medium-Level Wastes

Abstract

The geomechanical and mining-technological aspects of the construction of salt caverns as disposal chambers have been investigated during project phase 2, completed by mid 1981. With a view towards the stability analysis of such a cavern, FEM-estimates have been carried out and evaluated. From these it can be derived that- a rotational ellipsoid would be the most suitable shape- its dimensions should be 82 m (vertical axis) and 42 m (horizontal axis)- the distance (safety pillar) between the neighbouring caverns should be 170 m (vertical) and 180 m (horizontal).For practical engineering purposes the rotational ellipsoid can be modified into a cylinder with conic bottom and top. The numerical model simulated the short term as well as the long term characteristics of the surrounding salt rocks. The short term characteristics were assessed by an elastic approach, the long term characteristics by a rheological model. The input parameters have been determined by means of laboratory tests on ASSE rock salt.In a second step the characteristics of partially and completely filled caverns were simulated. It was shown clearly that deformation of the salt rock comes to a halt when counteracted by the filling.Based upon the results of the stability analysis, investigations were made to find out a suitable mining technique for the construction of the cavern. Solution mining and conventional development by means of drilling and blasting have been studied alternatively. Since both methods have their advantages and disadvantages a decision in favour of the one or the other cannot be made until the actual site has been defined.