A preliminary study on hydraulic resistance of bentonite/host-rock seal interface
Résumé
Compacted bentonite-based materials are often used as buffer materials in radioactive waste disposal.
When the compacted bentonite blocks are emplaced, technological voids related to different interfaces
involving the buffer material are created, and their hydro-mechanical behavour is of primary
importance for the safety of disposal. In this study, the hydraulic resistance of the interface between
compacted MX80 bentonite and Boom Clay is investigated in the laboratory using an injection cell.
The results obtained show that when water is injected, the technological gap is quickly reduced due to
the bentonite swelling. When water pressure reaches the hydraulic resistance of the interface, hydraulic
fracturing takes place with a drastic pressure decrease. After fracturing, water injection continues and
bentonite continues to swell. A higher subsequent pressure is needed to produce a new hydraulic
fracturing. After a certain time, the hydraulic resistance becomes high enough so that no further
fracturing occurs, suggesting that the technological gap is sealed.
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