Properties of bentonite, mainly used as buffer and/or backfill materials, will evolve with time due to thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) processes, which could deteriorate the long-term integrity of the engineered barrier system. In particular, degradation of the backfill in the evolution processes makes it impossible to sufficiently perform the safety functions assigned to prevent groundwater infiltration and retard radionuclide transport. To phenomenologically understand the performance degradation to be caused by evolution, it is essential to conduct the demonstration test for backfill material under the deep geological disposal environment. Accordingly, in this paper, we suggest types of tests and items to be measured for identifying the performance evolution of backfill for the Deep Geological Repository (DGR) in Korea, based on the review results on the performance assessment methodology conducted for the operating license application in Finland. Some of insights derived from reviewing the Finnish case are as follows: 1) The THMC evolution characteristics of backfill material are mainly originated from hydro-mechanical and/or hydrochemical processes driven by the groundwater behavior. 2) These evolutions could occur immediately upon installation of backfill materials and vary depending on characteristics of backfill and groundwater. 3) Through the demonstration experiments with various scales, the hydro-mechanical evolution (e.g. advection and mechanical erosion) of the backfill due to changes in hydraulic behavior could be identified. 4) The hydro-chemical evolution (e.g. alteration and microbial activity) could be identified by analyzing the fully-saturated backfill after completing the experiment. Given the findings, it is judged that the following studies should be first conducted for the candidate backfill materials of the domestic DGR. a) Lab-scale experiment: Measurement for dry density and swelling pressure due to saturation of various backfill materials, time required to reach full saturation, and change in hydraulic conductivity with injection pressure. b) Pilot-scale experiment: Measurement for the mass loss due to erosion; Investigation on the fracture (piping channel) forming and resealing in the saturation process; Identification of the hydro-mechanical evolution with the test scale. c) Post-experiment dismantling analysis for saturated backfill: Measurement of dry density, and contents of organic and harmful substances; Investigation of water content distribution and homogenization of density differences; Identification of the hydro-chemical evolution with groundwater conditions. The results of this study could be directly used to establishing the experimental plan for verifying performance of backfill materials of DGR in Korea, provided that the domestic data such as facility design and site characteristics (including information on groundwater) are acquired.

Backfill is one of the key elements of deep geological disposal. The backfill material is used to fill disposal tunnels and is mainly composed of swellable clay, preventing the migration of nuclide and structurally supporting the tunnel. The selection and application of backfill material are critical for the stable and efficient disposal of spent fuel. Therefore, it is essential to secure various candidate materials for backfill and to comprehensively understand the properties and behavior of these materials. Recently, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has selected a candidate material called Bentonil-WRK and is evaluating its applicability. To utilize this material as backfill, the safety function of a mixed backfill concept, consisting of sand and Bentonil-WRK, was assessed. The swelling pressure was measured as a function of dry density for a bentonite/silica sand mix ratio of 3/7. The results showed that the swelling pressure ranged from 0.15 to 0.273 MPa, depending on the dry density, with higher dry densities resulting in higher swelling pressures. The measured swelling pressure met the target performance criteria suggested by SKB and Posiva (i. e., 0.1 MPa), but did not meet the design requirement for swelling pressure (i. e., 1 MPa). This indicate the need for further research after increasing the mass fraction of bentonite (e. g., mix ratio 4/6 or more). The results of this study are expected to be used in the selection of candidate backfill materials and the establishment of design guidelines for engineered barrier backfill.

PURPOSES : In this study, an eco-friendly mastic asphalt backfill material is developed to reduce production and construction temperatures by 40 ℃ compared with those recorded when using conventional hot-mix mastic asphalt backfill materials. METHODS : To reduce the production and construction temperatures, SIS polymer modifiers and gum rosin were selected, and gum rosin-modified SIS materials were applied to the mastic asphalt binder mix design. SIS is less viscous than SBS at high temperatures owing to its thermal characteristics, and incorporating gum rosin into SIS causes the latter to exhibit a loose and soft structure. To improve the performance of the mastic asphalt modified with SIS and gum rosin, three different filler mixes, i.e., 100% PMMA, 50% PMMA and 50% calcium carbonate, and 40% PMMA and 60% calcium carbonate were applied. RESULTS : The rosin-modified SIS reduces the viscosity of the developed mastic asphalt binders. In particular, incorporating 3.7% of gum rosin is beneficial to the mastic binder and does not degrade its low-temperature performance. Similarly, using 100% PMMA as a filler improves the performance but results in workability issues at high temperatures. CONCLUSIONS : Rosin-modified SIS and PMMA are promising alternatives for increasing the workability at high temperatures while maintaining the target performance of grade PG82-22 binders if the appropriate ratio of calcium carbonate is mixed with PMMA and an alternative filler comprising calcium carbonate is used.

PURPOSES : In this study, to improve the quality and construction performance of backfill materials for road excavation and restoration, the basic properties of rapid-hardening materials and stone sludge are analyzed to propose an optimal mix design. METHODS : To utilize rapid-hardening materials and stone sludge as controlled low-strength materials for pipeline construction in downtown areas, specimens were prepared for each compounding condition of fast-hardening materials. Flow, slump, and compressive strength tests were performed at various setting times. Subsequently, the physical and mechanical characteristics of the rapid-hardening backfill material for each mixing factor were analyzed. RESULTS : When ultrafast hardening cement and stone sludge are used, a setting time exceeding 30 min is required for a water–binder (W/B) ratio of 200% or higher. Considering the economic feasibility of ultrafast hardening cement, a W/B of 300% is considered the most suitable when high-performance superplasticizer and retarders are mixed. A flow test was performed on the rapid-hardening backfill material and the results show that if the mixing time exceeds 10 min, then the fluidity decreases rapidly, which necessitates a higher amount of superplasticizer. When ultrafast hardening cement is used, the initial strength (based on 4 h) is 0.7 MPa or higher for all formulations at a W/B ratio of 300%, and the compressive strength decreases slightly as the amount of superplasticizer is increased by 0.1%. CONCLUSIONS : Based on the fluidity and strength of the backfill material, which is composed of a rapid-hardening material and stone sludge, the most optimal performance is achieved when ultrafast-hardening cement with a W/B ratio of 300% is used in addition to a highperformance fluidizing agent 0.3% (wt./B) and retarder 0.2% (wt./B).

PURPOSES : In this study, we propose a mini-trench method, which involves using warm mix Guss mastic asphalt as a backfill material and an installation temperature of 160 ℃. The method is verified via a heat transfer analysis of a pavement using the finite element method. METHODS : First, the density, thermal conductivity, and specific heat required for heat transfer analysis were determined based on previous studies. Subsequently, the boundary conditions for convection and radiation to perform the heat transfer analysis were determined. The pavement temperature, which is the initial condition of the analysis, was determined based on the summer pavement temperature distribution using the temperature prediction program of the Korean pavement Research Program. Heat transfer analysis was performed by determining the temperature of the backfill material based on 160 °C and 200 °C for the heat load temperatures. The temperature change was observed on the backfill surface, and the temperature change of the conduit was observed directly. RESULTS : When the pavement surface temperature for traffic opening is 50 °C, the backfill thickness ranges from 50 to 250 mm, the warm mix Guss mastic asphalt requires 2 h to 5 h, 15 min until traffic opening, and the hot mix Guss mastic asphalt requires 2 h, 30 min to 6 h, 40 min until traffic opening. The limit temperature of the conduit evaluated based on KS C 8454 shows that the warm mix Guss mastic asphalt does not satisfy the standard when the backfill concrete cover is 50 mm thick, whereas the hot mix Guss mastic asphalt does not satisfy the standard when the concrete cover is 50 and 100 mm thick. CONCLUSIONS : The backfill depth of the mini-trench using warm mix Guss mastic asphalt as a backfill material should be less than 100 mm, considering the traffic opening time. Meanwhile, the thickness of the backfill concrete should be 100 mm or less.

Backfill is one of the main components of engineered barrier in a high-level waste repository. The material selection of the backfill determines the barrier performance of the backfill. Overseas, its related research has been carried out mainly in Sweden, Finland, Canada, and Japan. However, Korea has recently started backfill research, and it is urgent to select a potential material for establishing the concept of backfill material and conducting backfill research. This study reviews NEA report, potential materials for overseas backfill research, advantages and disadvantages of single and mixed backfill materials, cases of license applications in Finland and Sweden for the selection of potential materials for backfill in Korea’s high-level waste repository. The review results indicated that it is reasonable to carry out backfill research according to the following plan: Both single and mixed materials are considered as potential materials for backfill research; experiments and performance studies are conducted with these materials; and, based on the results, a potential material or candidate material for the backfill suitable for the HLW repository in Korea is determined. For this plan, the single material is tentatively selected, as in Sweden, as bentonite with a montmorillonite content of about 40-50%. Then, if the selection criteria for montmorillonite content are determined through experiments and performance studies, we determine the final potential backfill material. As for the mixed backfill material, the bentonite/crushed rock mixture seems to be more advantageous than the bentonite/sand mixture considering the disposing problem of crushed rock generated from tunnel excavation and economic feasibility through its recycling. It is thought that the bentonite used in the bentonite/crushed rock mixture should have a higher montmorillonite content than bentonite used as a single backfill material since the crushed rock acts as an inert material in the mixture. The results of this study can be used as basic data for selecting the backfill material to be applied to the high-level waste repository in Korea, and can be used as a guideline for selecting the potential material required for backfill experiments and performance studies to be carried out in the future.

The backfill refills the deep geological disposal system after the installation of buffer in the disposal hole. SKB and Posiva have established the safety function for the backfill such as hydraulic conductivity of 10-10 m/s and swelling pressure of 0.2 MPa. The study on the thermal properties is required for the evaluation of performance design and long-term stability of backfill, since the thermal condition affects the hydraulic and mechanical behavior of backfill. Thermal conductivity is a key characteristic of thermal properties due to heat dissipation from spent fuel. In this study, thermal conductivities of bentonite-sand mixed blocks were measured. The silica sands were used instead of the crushed rock with bentonil-WRK, one of the candidate bentonite of the Korean repository system. The effects of size distribution and mass ratio of sand were evaluated. Four different size of silica sand (i.e., 0.18-0.25, 0.7-1.12, 1.6-2.5, 2.5-5.0 mm) and five mixing ratio (i.e., 1:9, 2:8, 3:7, 4:6, 5:5 of bentonite and sand) were used for characterization of thermal conductivity. As a result, the thermal conductivities were measured ranging from 1.6 to 3.1 W/m∙K depending on the size and mass ratio of the sand. The smaller the size or higher the mixing ratio of sand or the higher the water contents, the higher the thermal conductivity on the surface of backfill block. The higher compressing pressure induce higher thermal conductivity. Meanwhile, the feasibility study of backfill block productivity was reviewed according to the variables of this study. The excessive sand ratio and water contents lead to poor quality that results in the failure of the block. In Korea, the research of backfill is only now in fundamental steps, thus the results of this study are expected to use for setup the experimental conditions of hydraulic and mechanical performance, and can be used for the design of safety function and evaluation of long-term stability for deep geological disposal system.

The backfill close the deep geological disposal system by filling the disposal tunnel and the connecting tunnel after the installation of buffer in the disposal hole. SKB and Posiva have established and designed the safety function of the backfill for the common goal of the deep geological disposal system. The safety function of backfill material has been set hydraulic conductivity of less than 10−10 m·s−1, a swelling pressure of 0.2 MPa, a compressive modulus of 10 MPa or a buffer density of 1,950 kg·m−3 or more, and freezing resistance. For the selection of the optimum backfill material, SKB and Posiva developed the concept of the backfill and evaluated the candidate that satisfies the requirements in four steps. In the first step, the performance and function that the backfill material should have were conceptualized. For the second step, laboratory tests and in-depth analysis of the candidate material properties were conducted. At this step, the focus has been on testing with the concept of the block method, using key candidate materials. In step 3, laboratory and large-scale experiments were performed to test engineering feasibility. In addition, design specifications for backfill materials were set based on site conditions, installation methods, and short- and long-term functions of materials. In Korea, it is only now in the step of selecting the concepts of the safety function. Therefore, it is necessary to benchmark the development process based on the previous studies of SKB and Posiva. In this study, candidate materials, experimental methods, and results were analyzed. As a result, the research steps and conditions for the selection of the optimum backfill material were reviewed. Using this study, the research steps of domestic backfill was suggested to develop within a short time for the Korean deep geological disposal system.

PURPOSES: This study developed a new backfill method for mini trenching. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of the new backfill method in the field. METHODS: In this study, asphalt pavement was created to verify mini trenching. Trenching test sections were then made in various trench widths in the asphalt pavement. The trench widths were 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, and 25 cm. For the trenching test section, a general backfill method and new backfill method (2-layer SCB) were devised and applied. To evaluate the test section, a vehicle loading test and FWD (falling weight deflectometer) test were performed. RESULTS : In the vehicle loading test, the duct vertical strain of the general section was up to 22 times larger than that of the 2-layer SCB section. According to the results of the FWD test, the D0 deflection of the 2-layer SCB section was smaller than that of the general section. These results indicate that 2-layer SCB has a good structural performance. With the use of FWD data, BLI (base layer index) and MLI (middle layer index) were analyzed. BLI is an indirect index for evaluating base layer. The BLI of the 2-layer SCB section was smaller than that of the general section, because the bottom layer (cellular mortar) of the 2-layer SCB is superior to that of the general section. MLI, on the other hand, is an indirect index for evaluating subbase layer. As the trench width increases, MLI increases. The MLI of the 2-layer SCB section was smaller than that of the general section. These results indicate that the damage is relatively greater when the trench width increases and that the 2-layer SCB strengthens a relatively weakened subbase. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the performance of the 2-layer SCB was analyzed. The results of the study showed that good performance was obtained when 2-layer SCB was applied to a mini trenching section.

This research evaluates the applicability of ponded ash in the production of backfill material. From various ponded ash/sand ratios, cement, and air foam conditions, test specimens were developed to investigate many engineer properties of backfill material. Then, the falling weight deflectometer and excavation tests were carried out to determine the behavior of the material in the actual testbed. The test results suggested that all mixtures achieved optimal flowability performance with acceptable stiffening time. It is indicated that the compressive strength increased as ponded ash and cement contents increased, but the strength decreased with an increase in air-foam content or number of freeze-thaw cycles. From the testbed results, it was found that utilizing 100% ponded ash in the production of backfill material is very promising for sustainable development purpose.

매립회는 석탄을 이용한 화력발전의 부산물로 플라이애시와 바텀애시 등이 회처리장에 별도의 구분 없이 매립되어 공학적 성질이 일정치 않은 재료를 말한다. 이러한 매립회는 한정된 회처리장의 규모와 매립량의 한계에 의해 대량으로 활용될 수 있는 기술이 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 경량기포공법을 이용한 되메움재에 매립회의 적용 가능성에 대해 조사하고자 하였다. 매립회의 모래 대체 비율과 시멘트 함량 및 기포제 함량에 차이를 두어 배합된 공시체를 사용하여 역학적 성능 평가를 위해 유동성 시험, 관입 저항시험, 일축압축강도 시험, 동결융해 저항성 시험을 실시하였고, 기능적 성능 평가를 위해 열전도율 측정 시험을 실시하였다. 이러한 실내 시험 결과를 토대로 구간의 현장시험시공을 실시하여 소형충격재하시험 및 재굴착 시험을 실시하여 매립회를 이용한 되메움재의 현장 적용 가능성을 평가하였다. 유동성 시험, 관입 저항시험, 일축압축강도 시험을 통해 적절한 배합설계를 결정할 수 있었고, 이에 따라 동결융해 저항성 및 열전도율 측정 시험을 통해 재료의 역학적, 기능정 성능을 평가할 수 있었다. 매립회의 비율이 높을수록 동결융해에 대한 저항성이 큰 것으로 확인되었고, 열전도율에 가능 큰 영향을 미치는 요인이 기포제 함량인 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 또, 현장시험시공을 통해 본 재료가 되메움재로서 적절한 탄성계수를 나타내는 것으로 보였고, 굴삭기는 물론 인력으로도 충분히 재굴착이 가능한 것으로 확인되었다.

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to develop an optimized method of mix design for rapid-set lightweight-formed mortar mix. To achieve this objective, the workability, setting time, and compressive strength of mixes under various conditions of mix design were evaluated. METHODS: The water-bonder ratio, fly-ash substitution ratio, and forming agent injection amount were selected as design variables in the study. The fluidity, setting time, density, and strength of the mortar mix were considered as major evaluation criteria of the mixture, and were subsequently utilized to evaluate the characteristics of the mortar mix under various conditions. RESULTS : The observations made from the mix design process are as follows: 1) the air content and fluidity increase as the forming agent ratio and forming agent ratio increase, respectively; 2) the maximum air content is approximately 20%; 3) the accelerating agent decreases the fluidity of the mortar mix by 15% on average; 4) the forming agent injection ratio and fly-ash substitution ratio yield significant effects on the initial and final set times of the mortar mix; 5) as the forming agent injection ratio and fly-ash substitution ratio increase, the compressive strength of the mortar mix decreases; and 6) the 28-day compressive strengths of the forming agent injection ratio and fly-ash substitution ratio yield the most significant effects. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the governing design variables for the rapid-set lightweight-formed mortar mix are the forming agent injection ratio and fly-ash substitution ratio.