CLAYS IN RADIO-ACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL

摘要

Clays and argillites are considered in some countries as possible host rocks for nuclear waste disposal at great depth. The use of compacted swelling clays as engineered barriers is also considered in the framework of the multi-barriers concept. In relation with these concepts, various research programs have been conducted to assess the thermo-hydro-mechanical properties of radioactive waste disposal at great depth. This paper presents some aspects of the thermo-hyro mechanical behavior of engineered barriers and of the geological clays considered in Belgium, France and Switzerland, namely Boom clay, Callovo-oxfordian clay and Opalinus clay.