Constitutive modeling for compacted bentonite buffer materials as unsaturated and saturated porous media

Takayama, Yusuke; Tachibana, Shinya*; Iizuka, Atsushi*; Kawai, Katsuyuki*; Kobayashi, Ichizo*

Soils and Foundations, 57(1), p.80 - 91, 2017/02

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2017.01.006

Bentonite has remarkable swelling characteristics and low permeability that makes it a suitable buffer material in a purpose built repository for the geological disposal of radioactive waste. It is necessary to use reliable numerical simulation techniques to demonstrate that the repository is safe and mechanically stable for tens of thousands of years. Constitutive model that describes the mechanical behavior of bentonite is a key technique in such numerical simulations. The current paper proposes a constitutive model for bentonite, which treats bentonite as an unsaturated elasto-plastic material that changes its mechanical properties as it becomes saturated. In the proposed model, the swelling index and an expression formula for negative dilatancy are treated as functions of degree-of-saturation. Montmorillonite content is used as an input parameter in the proposed model and so is applicable to a variety of bentonite based materials of varying montmorillonite content. Experimental results from swelling volume and swelling pressure tests taken from the literature are shown to be satisfactorily predicted by the proposed model.

Assessment of heterogeneous geological environment at Tono -Japanese fiscal year 2004- (Contract research)

Toida, Masaru*; Suyama, Yasuhiro*; Mori, Takayuki*; Inaba, Takeshi*; Sasakura, Takeshi*; Atsumi, Hiroyuki*; Masumoto, Kazuhiko*; Kobayashi, Ichizo*; Iwano, Keita*; Furuichi, Mitsuaki*; et al.

JAEA-Research 2007-065, 210 Pages, 2007/09

JAEA-Research-2007-065-1.pdf:28.82MB
JAEA-Research-2007-065-2.pdf:42.37MB
JAEA-Research-2007-065-3.pdf:24.46MB
JAEA-Research-2007-065-4.pdf:48.78MB

"Geoscientific research" at the Tono Area is developing site investigation, characterization and assessment techniques for understanding of geological environment. Their important goals are to establish a methodology for analyzing uncertainties in heterogeneous geological environment and to develop investigation techniques for efficiently reducing the uncertainties. The current study proposes a new approach where all the possible options in the models and data-sets, which cannot be excluded in the light of the evidences available, are identified. This approach enables uncertainties associated with the understanding at a given stage of the site characterization to be made explicitly using an uncertainty analysis technique based on Fuzzy geostatistics. This approach supports the design of the following investigation stage and reduces the uncertainties efficiently. In FY H16 the technique has been tested through geological modelling and groundwater analyses with Tono Area case based on current knowledge, to demonstrate its applicability and to compile the knowledge / information required to describe the H17 report. This report can be summarized as follows: (1) The knowledge / information required to describe the heterogeneous characteristics was compiled and connected to uncertainties associated with the characterization of a geological environment using a synthesis diagram. (2) Methodologies for assignment and screening of parameters were developed by using Evidential Support Logic (ESL). (3) Applicability of the techniques could be confirmed with Tono Area case. (4) This report proposed a new methodology that integrates the technique into JAEA ordinary technique to good advantage in the geoscientific research project.

On the applicability of the hermetic permeability tests by means of a pair of flow pumps to low-permeability rocks

Seno, Shoji*; Toida, Masaru*; Kobayashi, Ichizo*; Tanaka, Mayumi*; Matsui, Hiroya; Kunimaru, Takanori; Kurikami, Hiroshi

Nihon Chikasui Gakkai 2006-Nen Shuki Koenkai Koen Yoshi, p.310 - 315, 2006/10

no abstracts in English

Study for Evaluation of Performance of Sealing Technique

Toida, Masaru*; Sasakura, Takeshi*; Atsumi, Hiroyuki*; Masumoto, Kazuhiko*; Tanaka, Toshiyuki*; Suyama, Yasuhiro*; Kobayashi, Ichizo*

JNC TJ8400 2004-023, 146 Pages, 2005/02

JNC-TJ8400-2004-023.pdf:11.18MB

To establish sealing technique suitable for geological environmental conditions of Japan, it is necessary to obtain data related with this sealing function through laboratory tests and in-situ tests. It also is necessary to put these data to practical use and to establish the estimating method of the sealing technique.Tunnel sealing experiment, which has been carried out as collaboration between JNC and AECL at URL of AECL Canada, is progressing in the final stage and fundamental data relating with the sealing function has almost obtained. This report deals with the total data processing and interpretation of the sealing experiment, as well as the numerical analysis and interpretation on tracer test results. Conceptual plans of the experiment to confirm the performance of tunnel sealing technique in a sedimentary rock are also discussed.

Assessment of Heterogeneous Geological Environment at Tono; A Technical Report

Toida, Masaru*; Suyama, Yasuhiro*; Inaba, Takeshi*; Sasakura, Takeshi*; Atsumi, Hiroyuki*; Tanaka, Toshiyuki*; Kobayashi, Ichizo*; Iwano, Keita*; Furuichi, Mitsuaki*

JNC TJ7400 2004-017, 521 Pages, 2004/02

JNC-TJ7400-2004-017.pdf:96.64MB

"Geoscientific research" at Tono is developing site investigation, characterization and assessment techniques for understanding of geological environment. Their important themes are to establish a methodology for analyzing uncertainties in heterogeneous geological environment and to develop investigation techniques for reducing the uncertainties efficiently. The current study proposes a new approach where all the possible options in the models and data-sets that cannot be excluded in the light of the evidence available is identified. This approach enables uncertainties associated with the understanding at a given stage of the site characterization to be made explicitly using an uncertainty analysis technique based on Fuzzy geostatistics. This, in turn, supports the design of the following investigation stage to reduce the uncertainties efficiently. In this report the technique has been tested through geological modelling and groundwater analysis with Tono area case based on current knouledge, to demonstrate its applicability. This report summarizes as follows: (1)It is possible to quantify the uncertainties with Tono area case based on current knouledge using the technique. (2)Based on sensitivity analyses, it is possible to support designs of the following investigation stage to reduce the uncertainties efficiently. (3)The methodology of the technique has been developed with Tono area case. (4)The above could evaluate its applicability and propose further issues for synthesis of the methodology.

Modelling for the long-term mechanical and hydraulic behavior of bentonite-based materials considering chemical transitions

Sahara, Fumihiro*; Murakami, Takeshi*; Kobayashi, Ichizo*; Mihara, Morihiro; Oi, Takao

no journal, , 

In this paper, the model for the long-term behavior of bentonite-based materials adopted in MACBECE is mainly described.

Countermeasures against piping and erosion of bentonite buffer; Piping inhibition due to pre-hydration

Shirase, Mitsuyasu*; Ishii, Tomoko*; Kobayashi, Ichizo*; Jo, Mayumi*; Ono, Makoto*; Nakayama, Masashi

no journal, , 

A candidate emplacement concept of the engineered barrier system (EBS) for geological disposal in Japan is vertical emplacement option, which has a certain gap is between the wall of the disposal hole and the buffer material. This gap is considered to be filled with the swollen buffer material (self-sealing function) when the underground water is infiltrated to the buffer material. However, some underground water flow conditions such as a pipe-shaped water channel induce erosion of the buffer material, which causes lowering of the function of the EBS. Therefore, RWMC (Radioactive Waste Management Funding and Research Center) studies engineering countermeasures against piping and erosion. RWMC used an intentional water supply system to test the pre-hydration of bentonite buffers.