A Comparative Analysis of Different Approaches to Large-Scale Modeling for a Radioactive Waste Repository in the Callovo-Oxfordian Claystone and Sensitivity Analysis - 2025
A Comparative Analysis of Different Approaches to Large-Scale Modeling for a Radioactive Waste Repository in the Callovo-Oxfordian Claystone and Sensitivity Analysis
Vu, Minh-Ngoc; Armand, Gilles; Zghondi, Jadet al.
2025 • In Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 58 (6), p. 5889 - 5911
Callovo-Oxfordian; Cigéo project; Compressible material; Deep tunnel; Geological radioactive waste disposal; Numerical model; Callovo-oxfordian; Cigeo project; Claystones; Deep tunnels; Host rocks; Hydro-mechanical; Material layers; Sensitivity analyzes; Civil and Structural Engineering; Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology; Geology
Abstract :
[en] This paper aims to present a comparison of several approaches to numerically modeling for a study case of an intermediate-level long-lived radioactive (IL-LLW) repository of the French geological nuclear waste disposal project (Cigéo) within the Callovo-Oxfordian (COx) claystone and sensitivity analysis. The IL-LLW repository consists of a tunnel approximately 10 m in diameter, supported by a double liner comprising a 0.5 m concrete support layer and a 0.2 m compressible material layer, ensuring its stability for the operational phase (~ 100 years). The efforts exerted on the tunnel liner are due to instantaneous response and time-dependent deformation of the host rock, which constitutes the COx claystone layer with a thickness of ~ 150 m and located ~ 500 m below the ground surface. Deterministic modeling results from seven teams are summarized, wherein the differences between teams consist of mechanical constitutive models representing the behavior of the host rock and the compressible material layer, the multiphysics couplings (e.g., purely mechanical, hydro-mechanical, thermo-hydro-mechanical, two phases hydro-mechanical, etc.), the excavation and installation of structural components stages, the repository configuration, etc. The comparison of teams’ results focuses on the evolution of three variables: the maximum absolute (orthoradial) stress in the concrete liner, the maximum absolute radial strain in the compressible layer, and the excavation-induced fractures zone. Several sensitivity analyses were performed to highlight the effects of the time-dependent behavior, the thermal loading, the time of liner installation, the repository configuration, etc.
Disciplines :
Civil engineering
Author, co-author :
Vu, Minh-Ngoc ; French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (Andra), Châtenay-Malabry, France
Armand, Gilles; French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (Andra), Châtenay-Malabry, France
Zghondi, Jad; French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (Andra), Châtenay-Malabry, France
Souley, Mountaka; National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks (Ineris), Nancy, France
Renaud, Vincent; National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks (Ineris), Nancy, France
Alonso, Matías; Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain
Vaunat, Jean; Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain
Gens, Antonio; Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain
Yu, Zhan; University of Lille, CNRS, LaMcube, Lille, France
Shao, Jian Fu; University of Lille, CNRS, LaMcube, Lille, France
Corman, Gilles ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Urban and Environmental Engineering
Collin, Frédéric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département ArGEnCo
Camusso, Marco; ITASCA Consultants S.A.S., Lyon, France
Do, Duc-Phi; Orleans University, INSA CVL, LaMé, EA 7494, Orléans, France
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