Geotechnical Assessment of Compacted Sand Bentonite Mixtures to be Utilized in Underground Nuclear Waste Repositories and Barrier Design

AKGÜN H., Ada M., Kockar M. K.

TEKNIK DERGI, vol.27, no.3, pp.7477-7496, 2016 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 27 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2016
  • Journal Name: TEKNIK DERGI
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.7477-7496
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study assesses the mechanical and hydrological performance of compacted sand bentonite mixtures to be utilized in sealing underground nuclear waste repositories. In order to assess the performance of this material and to obtain an optimum sand bentonite mixture, a variety of laboratory tests, namely, compaction, falling head permeability, swelling, unconfined compression and shear strength tests were performed on sand bentonite mixtures possessing bentonite contents ranging from 5% to 15%. Sand bentonite barrier design was performed for the optimum seal selected as a function of the axial stress applied to the barrier and barrier length-to-radius ratio (L/a).