RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

11 Deep repository – design
Design is a comprehensive term for the activities where technical information is gathered,
processed and analyzed so that it can then be translated into the facility descriptions, function
descriptions, engineering drawings, descriptions of technical systems, operating and maintenance
instructions, etc that are required for the deep repository to be built, operated, sealed
and closed.
The goal of design is to design the deep repository, with associated infrastructure and
activities, so that the stipulated requirements are satisfied. The deep repository facility is
described in general terms in facility descriptions. They show the layout and placement of the
surface and underground parts and the coordination between them. An account is also given
of the vehicles, machines etc that are needed in the facility, including technical systems and
installations required for construction and operation. Facility descriptions are important
supporting documents for planning of the construction phase, reliability analysis, system
analysis, safety assessment and environmental impact assessment (EIA). The facility descriptions
that are prepared after the complete site investigation programme will serve as a basis for
applications for permits for the deep repository facility under the Environmental Code and the
Nuclear Activities Act. Preparation of main and engineering documents will begin during the
application period and will then continue during the construction phase.
11.1 Design methodology
The methodologies for designing the two parts of the deep repository, the surface part and the
underground part, are different. The surface part is more or less a conventional industrial facility
and will comply with existing standards and regulations governing buildings and mechanical
and electrical installations. The deep repository facility is also a nuclear installation, which will
be taken into account in preparing the design-controlling documents for the technical systems
and in designing, for example, the special access protection for the facility’s underground part.
There are no equivalent standards and regulations governing the design of the underground
part’s rock caverns. SKB has therefore issued a document called “Deep repository, Underground
Design Premises (UDP)” /11-1/. This document describes the methodology for design and
includes descriptions of and/or references to:
• The premises on which design is to be based, the design premises.
• How design is to be carried out.
• How the results of design are to be verified.
• How the results of design are to be documented.
Which of the interim results of rock cavern design are to be checked and verified by SKB
in order that the work can continue is also specified in UDP. UDP also includes a number of
instructions for various parts of the design work. The instructions develop or explain design
requirements and describe how the different design steps are to be carried out.
Conclusions in RD&D 2001 and its review
The methodology for the design of the underground part has been developed since the
publication of RD&D 2001, so there are no specific conclusions or review comments.
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