Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project Plan of the Investigation Program for the 2003 Fiscal Year (2003/2004)

Goto, Junichi; Hama, Katsuhiro 

The Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project is an investigation project which is planned over 20 years. The investigations are conducted in the three phases, investigations from surface (Phase 1), investigations during construction of the underground facility (Phase 2) and investigations using the facility (Phase 3). The 2003 fiscal year is the fourth year of the Phase 1 surface-based investigations.In the development of techniques to investigate the geological environment, geophysical, geological, surface hydrogeological and borehole investigations are carried out. Models of geological environment are constructed and revised based on the acquired data. In the development of monitoring techniques of the geological environment, long-term monitoring of groundwater pressure is continued in the previously equipped borehole. The long-term monitoring systems are also installed in the remaining boreholes, and measurement is subsequently started. Development of the remotely operated monitoring system (ACROSS) is continued. In the study on long-term stability of the geological environment, monitoring with seismographs, GPS and electromagnetic survey equipment is carried out. In the development of basis for engineering techniques in deep underground, basic design of the underground facility is defined. In the research and development on geological disposal, laboratory tests are continued on the transportation and emplacement equipment of engineered barrier, and on the reinforcement material to make detailed plans of the Phase 2 and 3 investigations. In the improvement of reliability on safety assessment methods, suitability of safety assessment methods is examined using the field and laboratory data. Design of the facility on the ground is defined, and development of the site for the underground laboratory is started. In the environmental survey, environmental monitoring is continued. Cooperation with domestic and overseas research institutes is proceeded.