Document Type

Report

Publication Date

9-30-2003

Abstract

Once radioactive waste is emplaced in the repository, the challenge of monitoring the continued integrity of the excavated openings (e.g., emplacement drifts) escalates tremendously. We envision a seismic monitoring array installed on the surface at Yucca Mountain, which operates automatically to monitor repository opening stability in the long term. The objective is to monitor and validate the structural integrity of the emplacement drifts through identifying and localizing rock falls that could compromise drift access, hinder waste retrievability, and potentially reduce the effective life of waste canisters. Collateral benefits of the system include the ability to address some outstanding uncertainties regarding seismic wave attenuation in the vicinity of the repository, and provision of a tool for security monitoring of the repository in guarding against unauthorized access and entry.

Keywords

Nevada – Yucca Mountain; Radioactive wastes – Storage – Monitoring; Seismic waves; Structural stability; Underground areas

Disciplines

Civil and Environmental Engineering | Electrical and Computer Engineering | Engineering Science and Materials | Geotechnical Engineering | Systems and Communications

Language

English

Comments

Task 36

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