Effect of water chemistry on the hydro-mechanical behaviour of compacted mixtures of claystone and Na/Ca-bentonites for deep geological repositories

In the French deep geological disposal for radioactive wastes, compacted bentonite/claystone mixtures have been considered as possible sealing materials. After emplacement in place, such mixtures are hydrated by the site solution as well as the cement solution produced by the degradation of concrete. In this study, the effects of synthetic site solution and cement solution on the hydro-mechanical behaviour of compacted mixtures of claystone and two types of bentonites (MX80 Na-bentonite and Sardinia Ca-bentonite) were investigated by carrying out a series of swelling pressure, hydraulic conductivity and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) tests. It was found that for the MX80 bentonite/claystone mixture hydrated with synthetic site solution, the swelling capacity was reduced compared to the case with deionised water owing to the transformation of Na-montmorillonite to multi-cation dominant montmorillonite by cation exchanges. For the Sardinia bentonite/claystone mixture, the similar increasing rate of swelling pressure was observed during the crystalline swelling process for different solutions, suggesting insignificant cation exchanges. Additionally, the cations in the synthetic site solution could reduce the thickness of diffuse double layer and the osmotic swelling for both MX80 bentonite/claystone and Sardinia bentonite/claystone mixtures. The large-pore volume increased consequently and enhanced water flow. In the cement solution, the hydroxide could also dissolve the montmorillonite, reducing the swelling pressure, and increase the large-pore volume, facilitating the water flow. Furthermore, the decrease of swelling pressure and the increase of hydraulic conductivity were more significant in the case of low dry density because of more intensive interaction between montmorillonite and hydroxide due to the high permeability.     

Experimental research on water retention and gas permeability of compacted bentonite/sand mixtures

Highly compacted bentonite-based materials are often considered as buffer or sealing materials for deep high-level radioactive waste repositories. In situ, the initial state of bentonite-based materials is only partially saturated, which has a very high suction that will promote water absorption from the host rock. In addition, a gradient of water saturation will be formed between the external part and the central part of the compacted bentonite blocks. In this paper, water retention tests, under both constant-volume and free-swelling conditions, were performed to investigate the suction behavior of a compacted bentonite/sand mixture. In order to investigate the sealing ability of the partially saturated bentonite/sand mixture, gas permeability tests were also carried out under the in situ confining stress. It was found that the confining conditions have a limited effect on the water retention capacity of the compacted bentonite/sand mixture at lower levels of relative humidity (RH), while this influence is significant at higher RH levels. The results of gas permeability tests show that gas permeability is very sensitive to the water content and the confining pressure. When the sample (stable at RH=98%) was subjected to a in situ confining pressure (7–8 MPa), the gas permeability was very low (1.83×10^–14 m/s) which indicates that gas tightness can be obtained even though the sample is not fully saturated.     

高庙子膨润土的土水特征曲线

近年来，用于高放废物深地质处置工程屏障的高压密膨润土越来越受到关注。经过全国范围内的比较和筛选，内蒙古兴和县高庙子膨润土矿床被确定为我国高放废物处置库缓冲材料的首选矿床。采用渗析法和水汽平衡法来控制吸力技术，通过上水特征曲线测定试验、环境扫描电镜和乐汞试验，研究高庙子高压密膨润土在不同吸力下的持水特性及其微观结构特征。利用压汞试验结果推算膨润土在恒体积条件下的土水特征曲线，并与实测数据进行比较。研究结果表明：在不同吸力作用下，膨润土的持水特性与其微观结构之间有着密切关系。     

自由膨胀条件下高压密膨胀粘土微观结构随吸力变化特征

核废料处置问题是世界各国安全利用核能所关心的重大问题。作为用于封堵通往地下处置库的通道,以隔断处置库内核废料与外界环境联系的首选隔绝用材料——膨胀性粘土的特性正越来越受到岩土工程界的关注。利用压汞测试法和电镜扫描法方法,对吸力控制条件下高压密蒙脱石充分自由水化后微结构变化特征展开平行对比试验,以研究高压密蒙脱石在不同吸力条件下的体积变化特征。吸力的控制采用了渗析(液相)法。试验对不同密实度的压密膨胀土随吸力变化特征的进行了研究。研究结果表明:(1)压实膨胀土水化过程中的膨胀势与初始压实密度有关,初始压实密度越大,膨胀势越大;(2)体积膨胀量与水化过程的控制吸力之间存在近似的半对数衰减关系,且随着控制吸力的增大,衰减速率减弱;(3)体积的膨胀主要来源于膨胀土集合体结构中集合体之间的大孔的扩张。     

石英砂掺量对混合型缓冲回填材料抗剪强度的控制机制

高放废物深部地质处置工程中,向膨润土中加入一定比例的石英砂可以优化缓冲回填材料的热传导性和可施工性。从"混合土"的概念出发,设计干密度和含水率相同、掺砂率不同的压实膨润土-砂混合物试样,通过剪切试验揭示掺砂率对抗剪强度的控制机制。试验材料选用内蒙古高庙子膨润土(GMZ001膨润土),石英砂按照质量0%～50%的比率添加。剪切试验结果表明:随着掺砂率的增大,压实混合物由应变软化型向应变硬化型过渡,黏聚力及内摩擦角逐渐减小,即抗剪强度降低。基于混合土孔隙结构假说,通过类比分析,对黏土-砂混合物抗剪强度的界限掺砂率进行估计,提供孔隙结构的扫描电镜证据。引入有效黏土密度和有效含水率的概念,描述石英砂颗粒之间的黏土基质的物理状态,阐释石英砂掺量对混合型缓冲回填材料抗剪强度的控制机制。     

混合型缓冲回填材料抗剪强度特性研究

高放废物深地质处置中,缓冲回填材料的抗剪性能对处置库的安全设计、施工及运营有重要的影响。本文从工程应用的角度出发,测试不同掺砂率时膨润土-砂混合物标准击实样在最优含水率条件下的抗剪强度指标。研究结果表明:随着掺砂率的增大,膨润土-砂混合物的抗剪强度指标略有下降;纯膨润土的抗剪强度指标随着干密度的增大而增大,随着含水率的增大而减小。通过测试和分析不同干密度和含水率时纯膨润土的抗剪强度指标,引入有效粘土密度和有效含水率的概念,对最优含水率条件下不同标准击实样的抗剪强度指标进行分析。     

Saturated hydraulic conductivity of compacted bentonite–sand mixtures before and after gas migration in artificial seawater

To understand the self-healing property of an engineered barrier for radioactive waste disposal, the hydraulic conductivity of compacted bentonite–sand mixtures saturated with artificial seawater (SW) before and after gas migration was examined. Na- and Ca-bentonites were mixed with fine sand at a ratio of 70% bentonite in dry weight. Two aspects were considered during the experiment: the hydraulic conductivity of the specimen that was resaturated after gas migration and the distribution of water content immediately after gas migration to study gas migration pathways. The gas migrated through the entire cross-section of the specimen, and gas breakthrough occurred in the equilibrium swelling pressure range approximately. Subsequently, the gas flow rate reached a sufficient large value when the gas pressure was approximately twice the equilibrium axial pressure (the sum of swelling and confining pressures), which excluded the back pressure. Although the gas migration pathway was not visible when the specimen was observed immediately after gas migration, the water content distribution showed that several parts of the specimen with lower water content were connected in the direction of gas migration. After resaturation, the change in permeability was within a limited range—two to three times larger than that before gas migration for each type of bentonite in SW. This slight change suggests that gas migration creates a pore structure that cannot be sealed via crystalline swelling of montmorillonite in SW, even if highly compacted bentonite is used under a constant-volume condition.     

Modelling the effects of test conditions on the measured swelling pressure of compacted bentonite

In the current concept of repositories for radioactive waste disposal, compacted bentonite and bentonite-based materials with low hydraulic conductivity are being used as engineered barriers to inhibit the migration of radioactive nuclides. To ensure low hydraulic conductivity, the swelling characteristics of compacted bentonite are also important. However, previous studies have shown that swelling pressure measurements vary considerably and that this variation may be attributable to the differences in testing apparatuses. This variability increases the uncertainty in the design of the facilities. Thus, in this study, an improved stress–strain model for bentonite materials during the saturation process is proposed. The validity of the model is confirmed by comparing the experimental results obtained using several test methods with the simulated results from the model. Consequently, it is found that the swelling pressure test results of compacted bentonite, which are affected by several factors, such as the stiffness of the test cell, the height of the specimen, and the initial degree of saturation, can be numerically simulated using the proposed model. Thus, the effects of these factors on the test results can be evaluated quantitatively using the proposed model.     

侧限状态下高压实高庙子膨润土非饱和渗透性的试验研究

高放废弃物深地质处置库中,由高压实膨润土形成的人工屏障,起着阻障围岩中地下水渗入内库并引起核素迁移以及库内高放废物的辐射扩散的作用。因此,有必要研究侧限状态下高压实膨润土的非饱和渗透性能。采用瞬时截面法试验研究了侧限状态下高压实高庙子膨润土的非饱和渗透特性。结果表明:侧限状态下,干密度为1.7g/cm3的高压实高庙子膨润土的非饱和渗透系数,数值为1.13×10-13～8.41×10-15m/s,且与土中吸力呈非单一增减关系。当土中吸力约为68MPa时,非饱和渗透系数最小;吸力大于68MPa时,其非饱和渗透系数随着吸力的增加而增加;而当吸力小于68MPa时,非饱和渗透系数随着土中吸力的增加而减小。     

Deterioration of swelling pressure of compacted Gaomiaozi bentonite induced by heat combined with hyperalkaline conditions

Compacted bentonite has been considered a suitable engineered barrier material for high-level radioactive waste (HLW) repositories for several decades. However, hyperalkaline groundwater produced by cementitious materials, combined with the heat generated by nuclear decay during the long-term storage of waste canisters, may cause the deterioration of the swelling properties of compacted bentonite. In this study, a series of swelling pressure tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests were performed on compacted Gaomiaozi (GMZ) bentonite (dry density 1.7 Mg/m³) to investigate the deterioration of the swelling pressure. Results indicated that the deterioration of the swelling pressure was facilitated by the temperature when the same concentration of NaOH solution was infiltrated, and a model of swelling pressure deterioration was developed to predict the long-term swelling pressure. Furthermore, the dissolution of montmorillonite and some silicate minerals, as well as the formation of non-expanding secondary minerals, led to transformations of the agglomeration patterns of the soil particles and structural damage to the bentonite, which controlled the long-term deterioration of the swelling pressure. Therefore, for the long-term operation of an HLW repository, the deterioration of the swelling pressure of compacted bentonite should be monitored, and safety assessments should account for the effects of heat and alkalinity.     

On the hydro-mechanical behaviour of MX80 bentonite-based materials

Bentonite-based materials have been considered in many countries as engineered barrier/backfilling materials in deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste.During the long period of waste storage,these materials will play an essential role in ensuring the integrity of the storage system that consists of the waste canisters,the engineered barrier/backfill,the retaining structures as well as the geological barrier.Thus,it is essential to well understand the hydro-mechanical behaviours of these bentonite-based materials.This review paper presents the recent advances of knowledge on MX80 bentonite-based materials,in terms of water retention properties,hydraulic behaviour and mechanical behaviour.Emphasis is put on the effect of technological voids and the role of the dry density of bentonite.The swelling anisotropy is also discussed based on the results from swelling tests with measurements of both axial and radial swelling pressures on a sand-bentonite mixture compacted at different densities.Microstructure observation was used to help the interpretation of macroscopic hydromechanical behaviour.Also,the evolution of soil microstructure thus the soil density over time is discussed based on the results from mock-up tests.This evolution is essential for understanding the longterm hydro-mechanical behaviour of the engineered barrier/backfill.     

Hydraulic conductivity test system for compacted, 2-mm-thick bentonite specimens

Both the design and safety assessment of radioactive waste disposal facilities demand an accurate evaluation of the hydraulic conductivity of the bentonite materials, especially compacted bentonite. For permeability tests of bentonite materials, the lengthy time necessary for specimen saturation and measurement may present a bottleneck. The permeability behavior of bentonite, such as the effects of the water quality and the exchangeable cations, has not been systematized sufficiently. For the present study, a hydraulic conductivity test system with 2-mm-thick specimens was developed. Its applicability was evaluated in terms of test accuracy. Six specimens of compacted Japanese sodium bentonite, with dry densities of 1.34–1.79 Mg/m³, were subjected to falling head hydraulic conductivity tests. The results showed that the hydraulic gradient set for this study did not affect the hydraulic conductivity, indicating that the macroscopic hydraulic behavior was consistent with Darcy's law. Furthermore, it was possible to reduce the test period considerably, by about one-tenth, compared to that using 10-mm-thick specimens. The obtained hydraulic conductivity was found to be similar to that in earlier studies. Furthermore, the values showed less variation particularly in terms of the consolidation test results. The results demonstrated that 2-mm-thick specimens are useful for hydraulic conductivity measurements of compacted bentonite.     

Experimental study on hydro-mechanical coupling behaviours of highly compacted expansive clay

Highly compacted expansive clays have been usually considered as a possible material for sealing and backfill in deep geological disposal of radioactive waste. In this condition, the material is simultaneously subjected to water infiltration from the geological barrier and stresses generated by the swelling of engineered barriers in confined conditions. Its behaviour under hydro-mechanical loading is essential to the safe design of the whole storage system. In the present work, MX80 bentonite, a kind of expansive clay from Wyoming, USA, was studied. After compaction, its dry density was 1.8 Mg/m3 and its initial suction was 110 MPa. Firstly, the soil was humidified under controlled suction and free-swelling conditions. Significant swelling was observed. Secondly, four values of suction of 110, 39, 9 and 0 MPa were employed to perform isotropic compressive tests at constant suction conditions. That allowed studying the effect of suction on the yield pressure, elastic and plastic compressibility parameters. The results show that the elastic and plastic compressibility parameters increase when the suction decreases. The relationship between these parameters and the logarithm of suction can be linearly correlated. The yield stress drastically decreases upon wetting under free-swelling conditions, from 12 – 18 MPa (at an initial suction of 110 MPa) to 0.2 MPa at saturated state.     

Effect of synthetic Beishan site water and cement solutions on the mineralogy and microstructure of compacted Gaomiaozi(GMZ) bentonite

The mineral alteration and microstructure evolution of compacted GMZ bentonite was investigated during the long-term in the Beishan area, a candidate for a high-level radioactive waste repository in China. The compacted GMZ bentonite samples at initial dry densities of 1.5 and 1.7 Mg/m³ were infiltrated by synthetic Beishan Site Water (BSW) and two synthetic cement solutions (Young Cement Water -YCW and Evolved Cement Water - ECW) under constant volume conditions for about 2 months in this study. X-Ray diffractometry (XRD), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS) tests were carried out to observe the mineralogy and microstructure of the specimens after experiencing the three types of pore solutions.There is evidence of cation exchange reactions, some zeolites and C-S-H in the GMZ bentonite after the infiltration of alkaline solutions. The hydration of alkaline solutions and mineralogy alteration result in changes to the microstructure of compacted GMZ bentonite. The generated secondary mineral on the surface of montmorillonite leads to the clogging of inter-aggregate pores. In the case of high dry density, this resulted in pore occlusion.     

Research on gas migration properties in a saturated bentonite/sand mixture under flexible boundary conditions

Gas migration/breakthrough in saturated bentonite is an important issue for the evolution of the sealing ability of the engineered barrier in deep geological repositories. The main contribution of our study is to provide insights into the water and gas transport properties in a compacted bentonite/sand mixture, which was wrapped by a flexible Viton? membrane directly before being put into a triaxial cell. The experimental results indicate that the water permeability is very low and the magnitude is in the order of 10^?20?m². Gas breakthrough tests show that no continuous gas flow was detected during the entire gas breakthrough test (until the gas pressure of 10?MPa), which indicates that the compacted bentonite/sand mixture has a good sealing ability after full saturation. Another important finding is that the gas migration properties are closely related to the stress state around the sample, the internal pore fluid pressure, and the creep effects caused by the two factors.     

Clays in radioactive waste disposal

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 within the framework of the multi-barrier concept.In relation to these concepts,various research programs have been conducted to assess the thermo-hydro-mechanical properties of radioactive waste disposal at great depth.After introducing the concepts of waste isolation developed in Belgium,France and Switzerland,the paper describes the retention and transfer properties of engineered barriers made up of compacted swelling clays in relation to microstructure features.Some features of the thermo-mechanical behaviors of three possible geological barriers,namely Boom clay（Belgium）,Callovo-Oxfordian clay（France） and Opalinus clay（Switzerland）,are then described,including the retention and transfer properties,volume change behavior,shear strength and thermal aspects.     

常含水率下非饱和高庙子膨润土加砂混合物的水力-力学性质

对非饱和高庙子膨润土与砂混合物击实样进行常含水率下的不排水等向压缩和不排水三轴剪切试验,研究非饱和高庙子膨润土与砂混合物的水力-力学特性,拟模拟深层地质处置工程中缓冲/回填材料在不排水状态下受力时的性状。试验研究表明:在不排水等向压缩和不排水三轴剪切试验中,固结应力和剪应力的增大引起非饱和土试样孔隙比减小,饱和度增大,吸力减小;在不排水剪切试验中,应力-应变曲线呈外凸的形状,试样发生体积收缩和侧向膨胀变形,净围压对试样的初始刚度、不排水剪切强度和变形有较大的影响。     

溶液特征对石屑掺膨润土混合土的渗透特性影响

垃圾填埋是目前世界各地处置城市固废的主要方法,为了有效防止渗滤液污染地下水和周边环境,在垃圾填埋场底部铺设含黏土或膨润土掺砂混合土的防渗系统。利用采石场的石屑和膨润土配制防渗材料,通过渗透试验、Zeta电位试验和X射线衍射试验,分析溶液种类和浓度对渗透特性的影响机理。研究结果表明随着离子浓度的增大,混合土的渗透系数变大,其主要是由于溶液中的离子与钠基膨润土进行离子交换,膨润土土粒间斥力与土粒双电层厚度减小,且膨润土中的蒙脱石层晶间距增大。     

Swelling pressure of compacted MX80 bentonite/sand mixture prepared by different methods

Compacted bentonite/sand mixture have been considered as possible sealing/backfilling material in the deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive nuclear waste. The swelling pressure of the compacted bentonite/sand mixture is of significance in the design of the geological repository, which requires good consistency between data obtained by laboratory and field measurement. In this work, a series of swelling pressure tests were performed on compacted MX80 bentonite/sand specimens prepared by methods commonly adopted in laboratory (As-compacted, Transferred) and those mimicking the real block manufacturing process (Trimmed, Inserted). Results shown that with identical dry density (especially when the dry density was larger than 1.70 Mg/m³), largest swelling pressure was obtained in specimens prepared by method Inserted, followed by method As-compacted, Transferred and Trimmed. The distinct difference between the swelling pressure could be largely attributed to the effects of residual post-compaction lateral stress. More interestingly, specimens prepared by methods Trimmed and Transferred followed a similar swelling pressure-dry density relationship. From this point of view, method Transferred without causing mass loss, change of bentonite content and possible technological voids effect was recommended in lieu of method Trimmed for specimen preparation in laboratory.     

Sealing performance of compacted block joints backfilled with bentonite paste or a particle-powder mixture

Technology gaps are inevitable parts of the buffer barriers in the high-level radioactive waste (HLW) repositories. The mechanical properties, permeability and water-solute-radionuclide migration of buffer barrier are different when considering the gaps. The present study was designed to investigate the sealing effect of joint between the compacted blocks with two types of sealing materials, a bentonite paste (P) and a bentonite particles and powder mixture (P/P) both from the macro- and micro-aspects.A series of laboratory test was conducted to study the hydro-mechanical properties of bentonite blocks after backfilling the joint between blocks. Both the intake and outflow water volume, and the pressure on radial and axial direction were monitored during the hydration. Following the permeability test, the joint’s sealing was evaluated by a final dry density, water content distribution and microstructure evolution. The results showed that the axial and radial pressure of blocks backfilled with bentonite P and bentonite P/P mixture were higher than that of blocks with a blank joint. Pressure preferentially increased in the low-stress areas (the joint areas), contributing to sealing of the joint. The hydraulic conductivities for backfilled bentonite blocks were almost on the same order of magnitude as to intact bentonite blocks, revealing a clear sealed hydraulic behavior. The final dry density decreased in the block area and increased in the joint area after hydration, forming a transition zone with a certain width. A smaller difference was found between the block and joint area in the backfilled block. The mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) test and scanning electron microscope (SEM) test showed that backfill decreased the numbers of inter-aggregates pores ranged between 8 and 15 μm compared with that in the blank joint. The comprehensive data showed that a joint backfilled with a bentonite P/P mixture has a higher swelling capacity, lower permeability, and denser structure compared with joint backfilled with bentonite P. The results suggested that joint backfilling improved the integrity of the blocks and enhanced the swelling property and impermeability compared with that of the non-backfilled blocks. Both bentonite P and bentonite P/P has satisfactory sealing performance of compacted block joints, with better effect of the later.