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Coupled thermal-hydrological-mechanical-chemical analyses of a repository in clay/shale for high-level waste

Stone, C.M.; Martinez, Mario J.; Dewers, Thomas D.; Hansen, Francis D.; Hardin, Ernest H.; Argüello, J.G.; Holland, J.F.

This paper describes the modeling efforts undertaken during a recently completed feasibility study of a generic shale repository for disposal of high-level radioactive waste within the United States. A coupled thermal-hydrological-mechanical-chemical analysis of the shale repository was performed using the SIERRA Mechanics code developed at Sandia National Laboratories. Because U.S. efforts have focused on the volcanic tuff site at Yucca Mountain, radioactive waste disposal in U.S. shale formations has not been considered for many years. However, advances in multi-physics computational modeling and research into clay mineralogy continue to improve the scientific basis for assessing nuclear waste repository performance in such formations. Disposal of high-level radioactive waste in suitable shale formations is attractive because the material is essentially impermeable and self-sealing, conditions are chemically reducing, and sorption tends to prevent radionuclide transport. Vertically and laterally extensive shale and clay formations exist in multiple locations in the contiguous 48 states. © 2011 ARMA, American Rock Mechanics Association.