10.11.2014 Views

RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

ackfill must have a compression modulus that is several orders of magnitude greater than<br />

is theoretically possible.<br />

<strong>Programme</strong><br />

Even if the tunnel backfill cannot limit the creep-induced tunnel convergence, the backfill is<br />

affected. A programme for computational bounding of tunnels and other cavities in the host rock<br />

has been initiated with literature studies and will be followed up by application calculations.<br />

18.2.10 Thermal expansion<br />

The importance of this process will be illustrated with simple scoping calculations in SR-Can.<br />

The thermal expansion of the structure and the particle phase in the backfill is small and has<br />

only a marginal effect. On the other hand, the thermal expansion of the water is great and rapid<br />

heating in a water-saturated backfill where the expanding water does not have time to drain off<br />

can give rise to large pressures against a rigid host medium. In a deep repository, heating is so<br />

slow in relation to hydraulic conductivity that the expanding water has time to drain.<br />

18.2.11 Advection<br />

Conclusions in RD&D 2001 and its review<br />

The backfill has a hydraulic conductivity and a diffusivity that lie in a range where both<br />

diffusion and advection can be important transport mechanisms.<br />

Newfound knowledge since RD&D 2001<br />

Water flow in backfill is being studied on a full scale in the Backfill and Plug Test in the Äspö<br />

HRL, see sections 18.2.2 and 18.2.6.<br />

<strong>Programme</strong><br />

Water flow in backfill will be studied in the laboratory and on a full scale in the Backfill and<br />

Plug Test, see sections 18.2.2 and 18.2.6.<br />

The importance of advection in the backfill for radionuclide transport will be examined in<br />

SR-Can.<br />

18.2.12 Diffusion<br />

If the backfill material has low hydraulic conductivity, diffusion will be the dominant transport<br />

mechanism for dissolved species.<br />

18.2.13 Osmosis<br />

Due to limitations in existing compaction technique, combined with the quantity of bentonite<br />

mixed into the backfill material, the density of the montmorillonite phase is considerably lower<br />

than in the buffer. In the basic state, the montmorillonite has therefore swelled to a volume<br />

equivalent to the maximum swelling at a given salinity. If the salinity exceeds this critical limit,<br />

the pore structure changes, leading to a sharp increase in hydraulic conductivity, lost contact<br />

with the rock, and an increased risk of piping at high water flows. With the compaction results<br />

that can be achieved today, there is a risk of considerable deterioration in the function of the<br />

backfill even at relatively low groundwater salinities (several percent TDS).<br />

236 RD&D-<strong>Programme</strong> <strong>2004</strong>

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!