Abstract Summary
- This study introduces lab scale tests simulating piping erosion in compacted bentonite buffer under rapid groundwater inflow in a disposal repository. Compacted bentonite were exposed to continuous water injection under varying conditions of flow rate, chemical composition, and flow direction of injected water. - The erosional piping phenomena of bentonite buffer including the formation of piping channels, critical inflow water pressure, and self healing behavior are are analyzed. In addition, X ray CT scanning was utilized to analyze the post piping behavior (dessication crack). - The results will utilized to development of design guidance and construction of safe HLW repository.
