The concept of deep geological disposal for high-level radioactive waste is based on an engineered barrier system (EBS), including a canister, bentonite buffer and backfill material. The bentonite buffer is key component of the EBS to prevent groundwater infiltration and radionuclide leakage. However, the bentonite buffer can become saturated due to groundwater flow through the excavation damaged zone in the adjacent rock, causing erosion of bentonite buffer and affecting the long-term performance of EBS. While the RH (relative humidity) sensor is commonly used to assess the degree of saturation in the bentonite buffer, it has a critical challenge due to its sensor size, which can disturb the overall integrity of the bentonite buffer during the initial installation process. In contrasts, the electrical resistivity test, widely known as a non-destructive method, is used to predict soil properties such as the degree of saturation and water contents. This method measures the electric resistance of materials using electric current induced by electric potential difference between two electrodes. Notably, there is no study that assess the integrity of bentonite buffer in a nuclear waste repository using electrical resistivity measurement. This study presents the electrical resistance numerical module under steady state using commercial finite element method (FEM), and quantitatively estimate the change of electrical resistance according to saturation and erosion of bentonite buffer. Furthermore, the electric potential and current density distribution formed between two electrodes are analyzed.

Compacted bentonite buffer blocks placed in the engineered barrier system for high-level nuclear waste disposal can undergo swelling, intrusion into rock fractures, and erosion with saturation. Bentonite erosion and intrusion can lead to bentonite mass loss via groundwater flow and can ultimately compromise the overall integrity of the disposal system. To ensure the long-term safety of deep geological disposal, it is essential to assess the hydro-mechanical interactions between the bentonite buffer and surrounding rock. In this study, the impact of bentonite erosion and intrusion on the mechanical properties of the jointed rock mass were assessed via elastic wave propagation measurements using the quasi-static resonant column test. Granite rock discs obtained from the Korea Underground Research Tunnel and Gyeongju bentonite were used to simulate jointed rock specimens with different bentonite intrusion conditions. Different degrees of bentonite intrusion were simulated by mixing bentonite and water to create bentonite paste and gel. The longitudinal and shear wave velocities under different normal stress levels were used to quantify the effects of bentonite intrusion on the mechanical characteristics of the rock joint. Complementary numerical analysis using the three-dimensional distinct element code (3DEC) was conducted to provide improved understanding of wave propagation within bentonite gouge-filled rock mass.

Compacted bentonite buffer materials are a key component of the engineered barrier system for high-level radioactive waste disposal. The bentonite buffer is saturated via groundwater flow through the excavation damaged zone in the adjacent rock mass. Bentonite saturation results in bentonite swelling, gelation and intrusion into the nearby rock discontinuities. Groundwater flow can cause bentonite erosion and transportation of bentonite colloids. This bentonite mass loss can negatively impact the long-term integrity of the engineered barrier system. Hence, it is necessary to understand the effects of erosion on the properties of the bentonite buffer. In this study, a series of artificial fracture erosion experiments are conducted to investigate the erosion characteristics of compacted Ca-bentonite buffer materials for different initial dry density conditions. Compacted bentonite blocks and bentonite pellets were manufactured using the cold isostatic pressing technique and granulation compactor respectively. The specimens were placed in a custommade transparent artificial fracture cell and the bentonite intrusion characteristics were monitored for two months under free swelling conditions with no groundwater flow. The radial expansion of the bentonite specimens within the artificial fracture was measured using a digital camera. In addition, the swelling pressure, displacement, and saturation were determined using a load cell-piston system, LVDT, and electrical resistivity electrodes respectively. A hydro-mechanical-chemical coupled dynamic bentonite diffusion model was applied to model the bentonite erosion characteristics using COMSOL Multiphysics.