A Study of methods to prevent piping and erosion in buffer materials intended for a vertical deposition hole at the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory

城 まゆみ*; 小野 誠*; 中山 雅; 朝野 英一*; 石井 智子*

Geological Society Special Publications, 482, 16 Pages, 2018/09

https://doi.org/10.1144/SP482.7

The phenomena of "piping and erosion" are serious problems for the integrity of the buffer material as an element of engineered barrier systems in geological disposal for high-level radioactive waste. In this study, the outflow behavior and condition in buffer material has been investigated using a test pit drilled in host rock at Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory to acquire the knowledge to consider countermeasures to contain the outflow of the buffer material. The following are results. (1) The phenomena of "piping and erosion" occurred irrespective of injection flow rate. However, when the rate is small, it is considered that buffer material can be self-repairing and the erosion of buffer material can be suppressed. (2) When injection water contains a lot of electrolyte, the surface of buffer material peels off and precipitates, possibly suppressing waterproof performance. (3) It is considered that bentonite pellets are effective for countermeasures against buffering "piping and erosion".