Publications

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A sensitivity study was performed utilizing a three dimensional finite element model to assess allowable cavern field sizes in strategic petroleum reserve salt domes. A potential exists for tensile fracturing and dilatancy damage to salt that can compromise the integrity of a cavern field in situations where high extraction ratios exist. The effects of salt creep rate, depth of salt dome top, dome size, caprock thickness, elastic moduli of caprock and surrounding rock, lateral stress ratio of surrounding rock, cavern size, depth of cavern, and number of caverns are examined numerically. As a result, a correlation table between the parameters and the impact on the performance of a storage field was established. In general, slower salt creep rates, deeper depth of salt dome top, larger elastic moduli of caprock and surrounding rock, and a smaller radius of cavern are better for structural performance of the salt dome. Copyright 2010 ARMA, American Rock Mechanics Association.

A sensitivity study was performed utilizing a three dimensional finite element model to assess allowable cavern field sizes in strategic petroleum reserve salt domes. A potential exists for tensile fracturing and dilatancy damage to salt that can compromise the integrity of a cavern field in situations where high extraction ratios exist. The effects of salt creep rate, depth of salt dome top, dome size, caprock thickness, elastic moduli of caprock and surrounding rock, lateral stress ratio of surrounding rock, cavern size, depth of cavern, and number of caverns are examined numerically. As a result, a correlation table between the parameters and the impact on the performance of a storage field was established. In general, slower salt creep rates, deeper depth of salt dome top, larger elastic moduli of caprock and surrounding rock, and a smaller radius of cavern are better for structural performance of the salt dome.

The disturbed rock zone (DRZ) is an important feature which is evaluated in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) performance assessment (PA) to predict post-closure repository performance. Mining of a WIPP disposal room disturbs the stress state sufficiently to cause fracturing of the surrounding rock, and this fracturing will alter the mechanical and hydrological properties of the salt. DRZ extent, and permeability, controls the majority of the brine that enters or exits the repository in PA modeling of the undisturbed scenario. Extensive laboratory data from experiments performed on rock salt demonstrate that damage can be modeled in terms of stress invariants. In this paper the DRZ extent is calculated based on a dilatant damage criterion. The calibrated damage factor C in the damage criterion is determined by comparing ultrasonic wave velocity field measurements obtained in the S-90 drift with a numerical analysis that predicts the salt's behavior. Ultrasonic velocities decrease in the presence of microcracks and loosened grain boundaries associated with salt damage. The most extensive DRZ exists during early times, within the first ten years of mining. The maximum predicted DRZ surrounding a WIPP disposal room is approximately 2.25 m below, 4.75 m above, and 2 m laterally. This paper also presents several lines of evidence, based on previous studies, that support the prediction of DRZ size by applying a WIPP specific damage criterion calibrated using ultrasonic velocity measurements. Copyright 2009 ARMA, American Rock Mechanics Association.

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