A method of excavating a storage complex in rock for storing radioactive waste

摘要

The present invention relates to a method of excavating a storage complex in rock for storing radioactive material, or other harmful material. The complex to which the method relates comprises a hollow body which is formed from a solid material and the interior of which constitutes a storage space for the radioactive material or other harmful material to be stored. The hollow body is located in an inner cavity (4) which is excavated from the rock and which has larger dimensions than the hollow body. The hollow body is spaced from the outer walls of the inner cavity (4) such as to leave a space which is filled with an elastoplastic, deformable material. At least one vertical shaft (2) is driven partially through the location of the space (4), and the space is excavated from the bottom of the shaft (2) and upwards, while filling the space or cavity (4) thus formed substantially at the same time as the cavity is formed.