TITLE:
Modelling of Predictive Hydraulic Impacts of a Potential Radioactive Waste Geological Repository on the Meuse/Haute-Marne Multilayered Aquifer System (France)
AUTHORS:
Benabderrahmane Hakim, Kerrou Jaouher, Tacher Laurent, Deman Gregory, Perrochet Pierre
KEYWORDS:
Numerical Modelling, Variably-Saturated Flow, Karst, Repository, Hydraulic Impacts
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics,
Vol.2 No.12,
November
25,
2014
ABSTRACT:
The French National Agency for Nuclear
Waste Management (Andra) conducted a site investiga- tions program within the
project of a deep geological disposal of radioactive waste in the Meuse/ Haute-Marne
region. The construction of the tunnel of 5 Km length and the shafts of about
500 m depth to access the repository located in the clay host formation of
Callovo-Oxfordian age, will lead to the perturbations of the groundwater flow
fields. The prediction of the behaviour of these perturbations is needed to
support: 1) the engineering and monitoring operations, and 2) the assessment of
the consequences on groundwater resources. A variably-saturated flow model of a
local multi-layered aquifer system is developed. It integrates the Oxfordian
aquifer (limestone), the Kimmeridgianaquitard (marl) and the Barrois limestone
aquifer including the karst conduits network. The variably-saturated flow
Richard’s equation is solved with a finite element simulator. Prior to the
simulation of the predictive repository impacts, a transient flow model is
calibrated with respect to Underground Research Laboratory (URL) construction
data. The results are analysed and evaluated by the use of performance
measures.