The Cigéo industrial geological repository project

Friction influence on constant volume saturation of bentonite mixed pellet-block samples, a numerical analysis

“…Bentonite-based materials are chosen as the main component of engineered barriers in the context of nuclear waste geological disposal due to their large swelling capacity upon hydration, very low permeability in saturated conditions, and radionuclide retention capacities (Cui, 2017;Pusch, 1979;Sellin and Leupin, 2014). Bentonite-based materials are considered to seal underground galleries and shafts, as in the French CIGEO concept (Labalette et al, 2009), yet, as employed in the EB experiment, those may also be placed in direct contact with canisters containing nuclear waste (Alonso et al, 2010). The latter one, in particular, is a good example of how compacted bentonite blocks and bentonite granular material can be used together.…”

Managing the CIGÉO Design: A Challenge and an Opportunity

“…The management of the engineering of the CIGÉO [3] project requires not only a sound organization and a solid control structure but also the support of topnotch expertise in several domains.…”