Discontinuous behaviour near excavations in a bedded salt formation |
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| Authors: | J C Stormont |
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| Institution: | (1) Repository Isolation Systems Division, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, N.M. |
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| Abstract: | Summary Discontinuous behaviour is being observed and measured in the vicinity of excavations constructed in a bedded salt formation 650 m below ground surface for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Facility. The 2 m thick salt layer in the immediate roof acts as a beam, shearing along a thin overlying anhydrite/clay seam. Vertical separations between the immediate roof layer and the overlying strata are often observed at the anhydrite/clay seam above the centre of excavations of larger span (11 m). The floor of the excavations is comprised of a 1 m thick salt layer underlain by a 1 m thick predominately anhydrite layer (referred to as MB139). Fractures in MB139 develop beneath most excavations, with increased fracture frequency with drift span and age. In the excavations of larger span (11 m), MB139 eventually debonds along the underlying clay layer. The salt layer overlying MB139 develops both shear and tension failure. In a few locations below excavations of large span, continuous fracture systems are developing from rib to rib through MB139 and the overlying salt. In the ribs, there is limited fracturing within the first metre of most larger excavations. Vertical fractures develop in pillars at most intersections. The discontinuous behaviour is qualitatively consistent with analyses of the formation behaving as a layered medium (elastic beam analysis) and limited tensile and compressive failure of the rock salt. The significance of the discontinuous behaviour is that it can dominate the effective fluid transport properties of the formation near the excavation, and therefore requires consideration in the design of repository seals. Discontinuous behaviour must be monitored and is an important factor in the maintenance programme designed to assure a safe underground environment. |
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| Keywords: | Rock salt excavation stability rock fractures geologic repository roof and floor deformation |
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