Publications Details

Evaluation of Engineered Barrier Systems (Mid-year Status Report)

Matteo, Edward N.; Hadgu, Teklu; Zheng, Liange; Xu, H.; Gilbert, B.; Subrmanian, N.; Lammers, L.; Cao, X.; Voltini, M.; Macdowell, A.; Lisabeth, H.; Ajo-Franklin, J.; Sonnenthal, E.; Borglin, S.; Wu, Y.; Chang, C.; Chou, C.; Kneafsey, T.; Cheng, Y.; Nico, Peter; Fox, Patricia; Claret, F.; Gaboreau, S.; Caporsucio, F.A.; Sauer, K.B.; Rock, M.J.; Migdossov, A.; Van Hartesveldt, N.F.

This document is a summary of the R&D activities associated with the Engineered Barrier Systems Work Package. Multiple facets of Engineered Barrier Systems (EBS) research were examined in the course of FY19 activities. This report is focused on delivering an update on the status and progress of modelling tools and experimental methods, both of which are essential to understanding and predicting long-term repository performance as part of the safety case. Specifically, the work described herein aims to improve understanding of EBS component evolution and interactions. Ultimately, the EBS Work Package is working towards producing process models for distinct processes that can either be incorporated into performance assessment (PA), or provide critical information for implementing better constraints on barrier performance. The main objective of this work is that the models being developed and refined will either be implemented directly into the Geologic Disposal Safety Assessment (GDSA) platform, or can otherwise be indirectly linked to the performance assessment by providing improved bounding conditions. In either the case, the expectation is that validated modelling tools will be developed that provide critical input to the safety case.