Effect of excavation induced fractures on radionuclide migration through the Boom Clay (Belgium)

peer reviewed ; In Belgium, the Boom Clay is being evaluated as a potential host formation for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste. In order to investigate this option, an underground research facility composed of two access shafts and 200m of galleries was excavated. Excavation induced fractures were observed in a zone of approximately 1 m around the galleries. In this study, the potential effect of these fractures on radionuclide migration in the Boom Clay is investigated. Therefore, a hydrogeological model of the clay is built with a radionuclide source in the middle of the clay layer... Mehr ...