Characteristics of high angle fractures distributed in granite of MIU (Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory)

Tagami, Masahiko; Ishida, Hideaki; Tsuruta, Tadahiko  

Fractures in crystalline rocks have exerted a big influence on the underground water stream. It is necessary to understand the fracture shape and distribution from the viewpoint of the material transfer and the safety construction in designing the geological disposal facilities of the high-level nuclear waste. In this report, we examined the fracture characteristics along the horizontal tunnel which was named -300m Access/Research gallery in Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory. Spring water that exceeded 1000 liters per minute was confirmed in the horizontal boring investigation along the tunnel before gallery excavation. We considered the fracture formation process and the function as the passage of water.