Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gxg78 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T19:59:32.541Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Determination of the Structure and Porosity of Rock in the Disturbed Zone Around Experimental Full-Scale Deposition Holes Using the 14C-PMMA Method

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

J. Autio  and
M. Slltari-Kauppi
J. Autio
Affiliation:
Saanio&Riekkola Consulting Engineers, Laulukuja 4, 00420 Helsinki, Finland
M. Slltari-Kauppi
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Radiochemistry, 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland
Get access

Abstract

In a nuclear waste repository the disturbed rock zone adjacent to the deposition holes of waste canisters is a potential transport pathway of radionuclides. The properties of the disturbed zone may also play an important role in the saturation of the bentonite buffer and in gas release.

Three experimental holes of the size of deposition holes (depth 7.5 m and diameter 1.5 m) in a KBS-3 type repository were bored in hard granitic rock in the Research Tunnel at Olkiluoto. The disturbed rock zone caused by the boring was analyzed including determination of the porosity and structure of the disturbed and intact rock. These were studied in the laboratory using core samples by using the novel 14C-polymethylmethacrylate (14C-PMMA) method. In addition the structure of the disturbed zone was also examined using scanning electron and optical microscopy. A distinct zone of disturbance adjacent to the surface of the deposition holes was found. This disturbed zone was further divided into three separate sub-zones with gradual transition between the zones. It was also observed that the machine and tool factors have effect on the properties of the disturbed zone.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 506: Symposium – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXI , 1997 , 597
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1998

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1 Autio, J., Aikas, T., & Kirkkomdki, T., 1995. Coring and description of samples from the full scale experimental deposition holes at TVO/Research Tunnel. Work Report TEKA-95-02, Teollisuuden Voima Oy (TVO), Helsinki.Google Scholar
2 Autio, J., & Kirkkomdki, T., 1996. Boring of full scale deposition holes using a novel dry blind boring method. Report POSIVA-96-07, Posiva Oy, Helsinki and similar report PR D-96-030 in SKB's (Svensk Kärnbräslehantering AB) report series.Google Scholar
3 Sütari-Kauppi, M., 1995. Investigation of porosity and microfracturing in a disturbed zone with 14C-PMMA method based on samples from full-scale experimental deposition holes of the TVO Research Tunnel. Report YJT-95-13. Nuclear Waste Commission of Finnish Power Companies, Helsinki and similar report AR D-96-001 in SKB's report series.Google Scholar
4 Hartikainen, J., Hartikainen, K., Pietarila, H., & Timonen, J., 1995. Permeability and diffusitivity measurments with the He-gas method of excavation disturbed zone in rock samples cored from the full-scale experimental deposition holes in the TVO Research Tunnel. Report YJT-95-16, Nuclear Waste Commission of Finnish Power Companies, Helsinki and similar report PR D-95-018 in SKB's report series.Google Scholar
5 Autio, J., 1997. Characterization of the excavation disturbance caused by boring of the experimental full scale deposition holes at TVO-Research Tunnel, Report POSIVA-96-09, Posiva Oy, Helsinki.Google Scholar
6 Hellmuth, K-H., Siitari-Kauppi, M., & Lindberg, A., 1993. Study of Porosity and Migration Pathways in Crystalline Rock by Impregnation with 14C-polymethylmethacrylate. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 13, pp. 403–418.Google Scholar
7 Hellmuth, K-H., Lukkarinen, S., & Sütari-Kauppi, M., 1994. Rock Matrix Studies with Carbon-14-Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA); Method Development and Applications. Isotopenpraxis Environ. Health Stud., 30, pp. 47–60.Google Scholar
8 Sütari-Kauppi, M., Lukkarinen, S. & Lindberg, A., 1995. Study of Rock Porosity by Impregnation with Carbon-14-Methylmethacrylate. Report YJT-95-09, Nuclear Waste Commission of Finnish Power Companies, Helsinki.Google Scholar