Safety concept and criteria for hazardous waste sites

The problem of waste disposal in Germany has been solved by using a combination of above-ground and underground disposal. Site selection criteria and precise criteria for the performance assessment of various types of waste disposal are available. In view of long-term safety of disposal, it is necessary to include geological and hydrogeological viewpoints in addition to purely engineering viewpoints.

In particular, the geotechnical site-specific safety assessment is described, as defined by the government in “Technical Regulations on Wastes” (TA-Abfall) in the section “Underground Disposal”. This safety assessment must cover the entire system comprising waste, cavern/mine and surrounding rock. For this purpose geo-mechanical models have to be developed.

According to the multi-barrier principle, the geological setting must be able to contribute significantly to isolation of the waste over longer periods. The assessment of the integrity of the geological barrier can only be performed by making calculations with validated geomechanical models.

Various engineering geological data are required for the selection of a site, for the design and construction of a repository, and for a safety analysis for the post-operational phase. These data can only be attained by the execution of a comprehensive site-specific geomechanical exploration and investigation program. The planning and design of an underground repository in rock salt layers are described, as an example for the various steps of this type of safety assessment.     

Principles of geomechanical safety assessment for radioactive waste disposal in salt structures

Today, a large amount of knowledge is available concerning various sites of potential high active waste (HAW) repositories in salt media. Domal Zechstein salt formations have been examined at several sites in Germany. Extensive R&D work was initiated in the former Asse Salt Mine in order to explore the suitability of salt for waste isolation by laboratory tests, theoretical studies and in-situ tests with test results forming a technological base for future repository development.

Resulting from the inhomogeneity of salt structures the demanded safety of a permanent repository for radioactive wastes can be demonstrated only by a specific site analysis in which the entire system, “the geological situation, the repository, and the form and amount of the wastes” and their interrelationships are taken into consideration.

The site analysis has three essential tasks: (1) Assessment of the thermomechanical load capacity of the host rock, so that deposition strategies can be determined for the site; (2) Determination of the safe dimensions of the mine (e.g. stability of the caverns and safety of the operations); and (3) Evaluation of the barriers and the long-term safety analysis for the authorization procedure.

The geotechnical stability analysis is a critical part of the safety assessment. Engineering–geological study of the site, laboratory and in situ-experiments, geomechanical modelling, and numerical static calculations comprise such an analysis.

Within a scenario analysis — according to the multi-barrier principle, the geological setting is checked to be able to contribute significantly to the waste isolation over long periods. The assessment of the integrity of the geological barrier can only be performed by making calculations with geomechanical and hydrogeological models. The proper idealization of the host rock in a computational model is the basis of a realistic calculation of stress distribution and excavation damage effects. The determination of water permeability along discontinuities is necessary in order to evaluate the barrier efficiency of each host rock.

In this paper some important processes for the performance assessment are described, namely creep and fracturing, permeability and infiltration, and halokinesis and subrosion.

For the future, the role and contributions of geoscientific and rock mechanics work within the safety assessment issues (e.g. geomechanical safety indicators) must be identified in greater detail, e.g. considerations of geomechanical natural analogy for calibration of constitutive laws.     

Use of solution-mined caverns in salt for oil and gas storage and toxic waste disposal in Germany

The need for storage caverns for oil and gas, and repositories for toxic chemical waste is increasing world-wide. Rock salt formations are particularly suitable for the construction of cavities for such purposes. Owing to its favourable geomechanical properties, rock salt remains stable over long periods of time without support, and it can be shown that the geological barrier of the host rock remains intact for a remarkably long time.

Safety analysis must be made for each proposed site based on site-specific data. The methods of doing this are well known and related technical recommendations exist in Germany. These recommendations apply to the planning, construction, operation and post-operational management of salt caverns used for the underground disposal of hazardous wastes. In particular, geotechnical site-specific safety verification, as required by the government's technical regulations on wastes (TA-Abfall) under the section “Underground Disposal”, is required. This safety verification must cover the entire system comprising the waste, the cavern and the surrounding rocks. For this purpose geomechanical models have to be developed. The steps which must be taken when carrying out geological engineering site explorations and when determining geotechnical parameters are discussed. In addition, recommendations are made for the design and construction of underground repositories.

For liquid-filled caverns, long-term sealing from the biosphere is of particular interest. In this instance it must be shown that the natural increase in pressure in the closed cavity due to long-term convergence does not exceed the fracture pressure. A special filled test (scale 1:1) has been performed to study this.     

黏土岩水力耦合特性试验研究

对于高放废物地质处置工程,地质屏障系统是放射性有害物质进入环境的最后一道屏障,也是一条重要防线。黏土岩由于其低渗透性、渗透损伤自修复以及较强的吸附能力等特性,被认为是一种合理的高放废物处置地质屏障。结合比利时正开展的黏土岩高放废物地质处置相关研究课题,通过一系列室内试验研究黏土岩的水力耦合机制及长期蠕变特性。三轴压缩试验表明,黏土岩压缩强度、超孔隙水压力与围压正相关。渗透试验表明,黏土岩渗透性呈现显著的各向异性特征,围压增大使黏土岩渗透性显著降低。蠕变试验表明,黏土岩蠕变变形、蠕变变形速率与载荷密切相关,即：载荷越大,黏土岩蠕变变形越显著,蠕变变形速率达到稳定所需的时间越长,且相应的稳态蠕变速率越大;根据应力阈值和等时曲线法初步确定该黏土岩长期强度在1.0～1.2 MPa。研究结果将为我国未来黏土岩高放废物处置库的选址和安全性评估提供重要科学依据。     

复杂矿区三维地质可视化及数值模型构建

复杂三维地质可视化和数值模型的构建是采矿、岩土及水利水电工程中常常遇到的关键问题。针对数值模拟软件在复杂矿区地质体模型构建及单元网格划分等前处理问题上存在的不直观、工作量大等缺点,结合矿业软件在复杂三维地质体建模的强大优势,在研究线框模型和块体模型差异的基础上,提出了基于线框模型的复杂矿区三维地质可视化及数值模型构建技术。根据线框模型特点不同,以地表和采空区模型为型,分别阐述了基于Surpac的表面模型和实体模型无缝转换成MIDAS/GTS数值模型的有效方法,并将该技术成功应用于冬瓜山铜矿复杂采空区群围岩稳定性研究中。结果表明,该方法是可行、有效的,从而为矿山开采设计、安全分析及复杂地质体结构的岩土工程数值模拟分析提供了一种新的建模方法。     

高放废物地质处置新场岩体三维地质模型构建与应用

我国高放废物地质处置经过30多年研究,已初步确定新场为地下实验室推荐场址。开展新场岩体三维地质建模研究,一方面能够充分利用已有资料准确地表达各种地质现象,直观再现地质单元的空间展布及其相互关系;另一方面可以挖掘隐含的地质信息,方便地质分析和工程决策,这在地下实验室研究阶段非常重要。在对新场已有资料综合分析和解译的基础上,建立了岩体的三维地质模型,直观地再现了新场岩体地质环境特征;并基于地质建模结果,开展了钻孔设计等工程应用,取得了较好的效果。本研究可为我国高放废物地质处置后续工作中地质分析与工程设计提供有益参考和技术支持。     

Engineering geological assessment of the proposed Uru Dam, Turkey

This paper describes the results of the engineering geological investigations and rock mechanics studies carried out at the proposed Uru Dam site. Analyses were carried out in terms of rock mass classifications for diversion tunnel, kinematic analysis of excavation slopes, permeability of the dam foundation and determination of rock mass strength parameters.Uru Dam is a rock-filled dam with upstream concrete slab. The dam will be built on the Suveri River in the central part of Turkey. The foundation rocks are volcanic rocks, which consist of andesite, basalt and tuff of Neogene Age. Studies were carried out both at the field and the laboratory. Field studies include engineering geological mapping, intensive discontinuity surveying, core drilling, pressurized water tests and sampling for laboratory testing.Uniaxial, triaxial and tensile strength tests were performed and deformation parameters, unit weight and porosity were determined on the intact rock specimens in the laboratory. Rock mass strength and modulus of elasticity of rock mass are determined using the Hoek–Brown empirical strength criterion. Rock mass classifications have been performed according to RMR and Q systems for the diversion tunnel.Engineering geological assessment of the proposed dam and reservoir area indicated that there will be no foundation stability problems. Detailed geotechnical investigations are required for the final design of the dam.     

高放废物深地质处置地下水数值模拟应用综述

开展地下水数值模拟研究是高放废物处置场地安全评价的重要组成部分,然而深地质处置介质类型的复杂性、基岩深部资料的相对匮乏性导致模拟结果存在不确定性,如何刻画深部地下水动力场并评估可能引起的风险已成为高放废物处置安全评价中重点关注的问题。在大量文献调研的基础上,综述了世界典型国家高放废物深地质处置场地的地下水数值模拟与不确定性分析应用,并归纳总结该领域研究经验,得到以下认识:（1）深地质处置场深部构造、裂隙的发育与展布决定了地下水循环条件,探究适用于基岩裂隙地区新的水文地质试验方法是提高地下水数值模型仿真性的基础;（2）不同尺度模型融合是解决深地质处置地下水模拟的有效技术方法,区域尺度多采用等效连续介质法,场地尺度使用等效连续多孔介质和离散裂隙网络耦合模型,处置库尺度使用离散裂隙网络方法,其次需重点关注未来大时间尺度下放射性核素在地质体中的迁移转化规律,模拟预测场址区域地下水环境长期循环演变对核素迁移的潜在影响;（3）考虑到不同的处置层主岩岩性以及在多介质中发生的THMC（温度场—渗流场—应力场—化学场）过程,目前国内外常用的地下水模拟软件有:Porflow、Modflow、GMS及MT3DMS等用于模拟孔隙或等效连续介质,Connectflow、Feflow及FracMan等用于模拟地下水和核素在结晶岩、花岗岩等裂隙中的迁移,TOUGH系列软件主要应用于双重介质的水流、溶质及热运移模拟;（4）指导开展有针对性的模型和参数的不确定性分析工作,减少投入工作量,提高模型精度,并可针对处置库长期演变、废物罐失效、极端降雨等多情景预测模拟,为处置库安全评价及设计提供基础数据支撑;（5）针对我国深地质处置地下水数值模拟研究现状,下一步应加强区域地质、水文地质、裂隙测量以及现场试验等相关的调查及监测工作,多介质耦合、多场耦合模拟及不确定性分析研究将会是未来的研究重点。     

高放废物地质处置系统核素迁移模型研究

高放废物地质处置系统核素迁移研究是高放废物安全处理和处置的重要内容。从整个系统的角度出发,把高放废物地质处置系统核素迁移过程分为三种模式:工程屏障中的释放—扩散模型;地质屏障中的对流—弥散模型和在生物圈中的分区传递模型。在分区传递模型中利用转移系数描述核素在各分区之间的迁移。通过对每种模型核素迁移机理的分析得出概化模型,并给出了相应的数学描述。     

Engineering geological mapping developed in the Fortaleza Metropolitan Region, State of Ceara, Brazil

Engineering geological mapping was carried out, at a scale of 1:100,000, in the Fortaleza Metropolitan Region, located in northeastern Brazil, to provide engineering geological information as an aid in planning land use and occupation. In this study, eight basic maps were produced drawing: urban areas, lithology, unconsolidated materials in addition to geomorphological map showing slopes, water resources, engineering geological zoning and distribution of geological–geotechnical environmental problems based on information collected through field and laboratory investigations. The region was divided into nine engineering geological zones analyzed in terms of geohazard susceptibility and foundation, excavation and waste disposal conditions.     

Application of statistical approaches to analyze geological,geotechnical and hydrogeological data at a fractured-rock mine site in Northern Canada

Mine site characterization often results in the acquisition of geological, geotechnical and hydrogeological data sets that are used in the mine design process but are rarely co-evaluated. For a study site in northern Canada, bivariate and multivariate (hierarchical) statistical techniques are used to evaluate empirical hydraulic conductivity estimation methods based on traditional rock mass characterisation schemes, as well as to assess the regional hydrogeological conceptual model. Bivariate techniques demonstrate that standard geotechnical measures of fracturing are poor indicators of the hydraulic potential of a rock mass at the study site. Additionally, rock-mass-permeability schemes which rely on these measures are shown to be poor predictors of hydraulic conductivity in untested areas. Multivariate techniques employing hierarchical cluster analysis of both geotechnical and geological data sets are able to identify general trends in the data. Specifically, the geological cluster analysis demonstrated spatial relationship between intrusive contacts and increased hydraulic conductivity. This suggests promise in the use of clustering methods in identifying new trends during the early stages of hydrogeological characterization.     

利用煤炭开发地下空间储能的技术路径与地质保障

煤炭资源在我国能源结构中仍处于主体地位,但煤炭工业发展面临着“碳达峰碳中和”的新挑战。积极发展煤炭开发地下空间储能技术,是推动能源利用低碳化和清洁化的有效手段,也是保证我国能源战略安全的关键措施。结合当前储能技术,探讨了煤炭开发地下空间的利用现状,围绕利用煤炭开发地下空间抽水蓄能、热储能、压缩空气储能、电化学储能、生物质储能等储能新技术,重点阐述废弃矿井不同能源类型的储能理念及方式,系统分析储能过程中面临的地质保障关键技术难题。煤炭开发地下空间储能新技术总体思路为：利用煤炭开发地下空间所具有的低位势能差,将其用作梯级储水库(抽水蓄能);或直接将其用作储质、储能空间(热储能、压缩空气储能、电化学储能、生物质储能),既可提升煤炭开发地下空间资源的开发利用率,又可避免土地资源浪费,尽量降低对生态环境的扰动。虽然煤炭开发地下空间可作为大规模储能库,但其开发利用过程仍存在一些亟待解决的地质问题以及地质保障技术。主要包括：(1)地质条件与选址适宜性分析和安全性评价,即对储能空间的地质因素进行岩土工程性质和环境地质条件的系统研究,查明储能空间稳定性主控因素及其权重,构建选址指标体系与评价方法,重点查...     

Underground excavations in rock salt

An historical review of the geotechnical behaviour of the Northwich Rock Salt is presented as a forerunner to a numerical modelling analysis of the current stability of the Winsford salt mine, Cheshire. Extensive laboratory and in situ tests have been historically undertaken by the mine to characterise the strength and stiffness behaviour of the rock salt. Recent proposals to store waste within the Bostock No. 5 panel of the mine have lead to increasing concerns as to the current stability of the workings, as well as to the long term stability of the mine. This present study uses the wealth of geotechnical data to assess the current mine stability using numerical modelling techniques and validates the results against in situ roof to floor convergence data. The results indicate that the mine structures are stable. Convergence simulation using the numerical model compare favourably with the in situ monitoring data allowing greater con.dence to be placed in future predictions.     

高放废物处置北山预选区地表岩体结构与岩体质量相关性及其应用研究

岩体工程质量是影响高放废物地质处置（HLW）工程长期稳定性和安全性的关键因素,也是处置库场址比选的重要依据。在地表岩体节理调查统计的基础上,采用RMR(relative metabolic rate)分级方案,探讨北山高放废物处置预选区内以花岗岩为主体围岩的岩体质量与岩体结构的对应特征,建立结构面间距D与RMR岩体质量总评分值之间的定量关系,对北山预选区芨芨槽地表岩体质量分布进行研究。研究结果表明,RMR与D值的点群分布具有扇形发散的正相关特征,随D值的增大,RMR亦呈增长趋势,但低级序岩体结构与岩体质量比高级序岩体表现出更好的对应关系。研究认为,选用RMR与D的点群中心线对应的线性方程评价花岗岩候选区的岩体质量可达到快速评价岩体质量、查明各级岩体空间分布特征的目的,同时也便于对不同候选场区进行大范围岩体质量对比。分析结果显示,北山芨芨槽预选地段BS16钻孔周边3 km2范围内主要以Ⅰ、Ⅱ级岩体为主,岩体质量总体较好且分布相对较为均匀。     

垃圾卫生填埋中的一些岩土工程技术

垃圾卫生填埋是环境科学的重要研究内容,是一项综合性的研究课题。垃圾卫生填埋场高度和垃圾坝（或坑）深度的确定主要建立在岩土工程的稳定性理论基础上。在垃圾卫生填埋场中主要解决的防渗问题也是利用填埋场地质材料的渗透性质和现行的土工防渗技术,同时利用垃圾自身的物理力学特性解决填埋场排气等问题,而垃圾卫生填埋场的污水必须进行处理。从垃圾填埋场地质材料和垃圾自身的力学特性,结合某市垃圾卫生处理场实例对垃圾卫生填埋场中的一些岩土工程技术进行分析。     

宽级配废石的高排土场稳定性研究

宽级配废石的一坡到底的高台阶排土场具有明显的粒径分级特征,传统稳定性分析方法将其简化为多层各向同性的均质土体,却实质性忽略了排土场粗粒土各粒组分布的不均匀性和随机性,导致难以获得其边坡稳定性的合理结论。依托江西某铜矿高台阶排土场,借助自编元胞自动机程序EPOHHM,采用5组窄级配粗粒土表征了高台阶排土场的粒径分级现象,模拟了各粒组散体分布的不均匀性和随机性,分析了不同工况下排土场的位移场及塑性状态,系统地探讨了不同堆排模式下排土场边坡的安全稳定性,提出了一种宽级配废石的高台阶排土场稳定性的精细化分析方法。研究结果表明,排土场发生“拉-剪”破坏;土体中上部有圆弧形滑坡趋势,下部变形表现为沉降,顶部平台产生拉剪裂缝。仅考虑散体力学强度时,底部粗颗粒（ 100 mm）含量的增加对排土场起显著的稳固作用,“单台阶全段高”的堆排模式比“全覆盖式多台阶”更有利于宽级配废石的高排土场安全稳定。研究成果将为保证明显粒径分级的排土场的长期安全稳定提供指导,也为今后分析此类工程问题提供借鉴。     

考虑细观等效热学参数的高放废物处置库围岩应力−渗流−温度耦合模拟方法

高放废物处置库中乏燃料持续释放的热量对围岩的应力场和渗流场及其长期稳定性具有重要影响。围岩的热学参数依赖于岩石矿物组成、孔隙率和孔隙流体等因素,准确取值是进行高放废物地质处置库多场耦合分析的前提。通过细观力学分析,建立了围岩等效热学参数（热容、热传导系数、热膨胀系数）取值方法,并基于Biot孔隙介质理论,建立应力?温度?渗流三场耦合模型,进而提出了高放废物处置库围岩应力?渗流?温度耦合数值模拟方法。最后通过COMSOL Multiphysics多场耦合软件,利用瑞士Mont Terri高放废物地下试验室围岩温度?渗流?应力多场耦合现场试验数据对数值模拟方法进行验证,并探讨了温度?渗流?应力耦合过程的演化规律。研究表明,模拟结果和试验值吻合良好。研究结果可为我国高放废物处置库的安全评估和选址提供科学依据。     

垃圾填埋场地特征及其工程地质问题分析

以徐州某垃圾填埋场工程为例,以勘察工作成果为基础,对区域稳定性、地震效应等方面进行了探讨。重点研究和评价了水文地质条件,分析了垃圾填埋场建设所涉及的主要工程地质问题。研究结果表明:本场地的变形特性、边坡稳定性等满足填埋场使用要求,不会出现承压水突涌现象,填埋场的修建不会对地下水产生不良影响,场地作为垃圾填埋场的建筑场地是适宜的。      

土体工程地质层组的划分

工程地质岩组的划分是岩体质量评价的基础。当大型工程揭露土层很多时,进行土体工程地质层组的划分亦是十分必要的。它可以更为清晰的反映场地地质结构的变化规律,便于地质模型的概化和参数研究,有助于抓住主要工程地质问题进行评价,便于设计师的理解和应用。以南京地铁南北线一期工程为例,探讨了土体工程地质岩组的划分问题。通过以层组为基础的参数离散性统计、工程地质模型与工程地质问题的分析可以看出该层组划分方案的合理性与工程意义。