3rd International Workshop of Young Doctors in Geomechanics- W(H)YDOC 08 Pereira, De Gennaro & Delage (eds) 2008, Ecole des Ponts ParisTech, Champs-sur-Marne ASPECTS OF THERMO-HYDRO-MECHANICAL SIMULATION OF A PROTOTYPE REPOSITORY IN FRACTURED ROCK

ABSTRACT. A numerical investigation into the thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviour of a single deposition-hole in a nuclear waste repository is presented. In particular, two simulations are presented modelling first a deposition-hole in largely unfractured rock, and a second including a discrete fracture of 2m in radius intersecting the deposition-hole. The impact upon the hydraulic phase is discussed in detail and compared with experimental results from the Prototype Repository Project undertaken in Äspö, Sweden. It is found that the results correlate well, picking up the key differences in the saturation rates in the buffer material, especially in close proximity to the fracture represented. 1