ABSTRACT

It is well understood that the buffer and sealing material located close to the canister would experience an increased temperature generated by the stored waste. On the other hand, the material, which would be located close to the host rocks, would be under influence of saline solutions. The material at this location would possibly swell due to water ingress since initially there would be a gap between the bricks and the host rocks. As soon as the gap is sealed, the material will be under constant volume conditions and swelling pressure is exerted. In this paper, possible variation of permeability of a heavily compacted bentonite-sand mixture which includes the variation under constant volume and unconfined conditions is presented.