SELFRAC: Experiments and conclusions on fracturing, self-healing and self-sealing processes in clays

In assessing the performance of a deep HLW repository, the evolution of the excavated damaged zone with time is a key issue. In the framework of SELFRAC fracturing, self-sealing and self-healing processes of Opalinus and Boom clay were studied in laboratory and in situ experiments. Definitions for the terms excavation damaged zone (EDZ), excavation disturbed zone (EdZ), sealing and healing are presented. It is shown that sealing and partial healing occur and the consequences of the results for performance assessment of HLW disposal in argillaceous rocks are discussed. The results of several in situ experiments and observations at the HADES underground research facility are detailed. The origin and extent of excavation induced fractures are discussed and sealing and (partial) healing of these fractures is demonstrated. In the description of the hydraulic features of the EdZ, the anisotropic pore pressure distribution around HADES and its evolution with time are discussed. Pore pressure is influenced several tens of metres into the host rock and its evolution is influenced by the anisotropic in situ stress state and the anisotropic hydraulic conductivity of Boom clay. Around the connecting gallery, an increase of hydraulic conductivity is measured up to about 6-8 m into the host rock, outside this influenced zone values between 4 x 10(-12) m/s and 6 x 10(-12) m/s were obtained. The highest value measured (close to the gallery) was of the order of magnitude of 10(-11) m/s. The observed increase is caused by lower effective stress levels close to the gallery rather than by excavation induced fractures. Self-boring pressuremeter tests show that total stress is influenced up to 6-8 m into the host rock and material parameters such as undrained shear strength and shear modulus are influenced up to 2-3 m into the host rock. In situ seismic transmission measurements showed that the closure of a borehole influences the seismic parameters of the surrounding host rock: a decrease in seismic velocity is measured and higher frequencies disappear from the transmitted signals. After closure of the borehole, sealing of the damaged zone around it occurs, this is observed by the recovery of seismic velocity and the reappearance of higher frequencies. Fracture sealing is also demonstrated by seismic and hydraulic measurements on a reinstalled fractured clay core. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.