Summary.
Because of its advantageous physical and mechanical characteristics, salt rock is considered an excellent host rock for nuclear waste disposal. Nuclear wastes in a salt rock repository will continue to emit radiation and thermal energy for decades after placement, resulting in a significant rise of the surrounding salt rock temperature. Consequently, study of the physical and mechanical characteristics of salt rock under different temperature conditions is essential to ensure the integrity of the salt rock repository and the safe isolation of nuclear wastes from the biosphere.
Through a series of physical and mechanical tests on thenardite salt rock at different temperatures (ranging from 20 °C to 240 °C), it is found that the mechanical parameters have different reactions to a changing temperature. Tests show that the ultrasonic velocity of samples decreases with temperature increase and both the uniaxial compressive strength and axial strain increase with temperature, whereas the tangent modulus Et goes in an opposite direction. Meanwhile, the plastic strain increases gradually and strain-softening behavior of the samples becomes increasingly evident. In the pre-set angle shear tests, both the cohesion and internal friction angle increase with temperature. Results obtained in direct shear illustrate that both the peak shear strength and the ultimate shear strength increase with temperature.
We conclude that the behavior of thenardite salt rock at high temperatures is still advantageous to the integrity of salt rock repository, assuring the safe isolation of nuclear wastes from the biosphere.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
C. L. Cuevas (1997) ArticleTitlePore structure characterization in rock salt Engng. Geol. 47 IssueID1–2 17–30 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0013-7952(96)00116-0
C. L. Cuevas L. Miralles J. J. Pukyo (1996) ArticleTitleThe effect of geological parameters on radiation damage in rock salt: Application to rock salt repositories Nuclear Technol. 114 325–336
K. S. Chan S. R. Bodner A. F. Fossum D. E. Munson (1997) ArticleTitleA damage mechanics treatment of creep failure in rock salt Int. J. Damage Mech. 6 IssueID1 122–152
K. S. Chan N. S. Brodsky A. F. Fossum S. R. Bodner D. E. Munson (1994) ArticleTitleDamage-induced nonassociated inelastic flow in rock salt Int. J. Plasticity 10 IssueID6 623–642 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0749-6419(94)90026-4
K. S. Chan D. E. Munson S. R. Bodner A. F. Fossum (1996) ArticleTitleCleavage and creep fracture of rock salt Acta Mater. 44 IssueID9 3553–3565 Occurrence Handle10.1016/1359-6454(96)00004-3
Z. Chen M. L. Wang T. Lu S. J. Zhou (1996) ArticleTitleA micro- and macro-mechanical investigation of creep mechanisms for the WIPP rock salt Radioactive Waste Management and Environmental Restoration 20 73–91
Committee on the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, Board on Radioactive Waste Management, Commission on Geosciences Environment and Resources, National Research Council (1996): The waste isolation pilot plant: A potential solution for the disposal of transuranic waste. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 7–14.
K. R. Czerwinski M. Draye A. Faver J. Foos A. Guy M. Lemaire (1999) ArticleTitleIon selective resins: Development and applications for nuclear waste management Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 556 1277–1284
G. A. Doyle D. C. Keith D. D. Runnells J. Tilk (1997) ArticleTitleGeochemistry of abandoned fluids associated with the proposed underground solution-mining project at white pine mine Min. Engng. 4 62–67
M. Haupt (1991) ArticleTitleA constitutive law for rock salt based on creep and relaxation tests Rock Mech. Rock Engng. 24 179–206 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01045031
U. Hunsche H. Albrecht (1990) ArticleTitleResult of true triaxial strength tests on rock salt Engng. Fract. Mech. 35 IssueID4/5 867–877 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0013-7944(90)90171-C
S. Kwon J. W. Wilson (1999) ArticleTitleDeformation mechanism of the underground excavations at the WIPP site Rock Mech. Rock Engng. 32 IssueID2 101–122 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s006030050027
M. Langer (1993) ArticleTitleUse of solution-mined caverns in salt for oil and gas storage and toxic waste disposal in Germany Engng. Geol. 35 IssueID3–4 183–190 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0013-7952(93)90005-W
R. Mahnken M. Kohlmeier (2001) ArticleTitleFinite element simulation for rock salt with dilatancy boundary coupled to fluid permeation Computer Methods Appl. Mech. Engng. 190 4259–4278 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0045-7825(00)00317-0
J. Renner T. Hettkamp F. Rummel (2000) ArticleTitleRock mechanical characterization of an argillaceous host rock of a potential radioactive waste repository Rock Mech. Rock Engng. 33 IssueID3 153–178 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s006030070005
L. V. Sambeek J. Ratigan F. D. Hansen (1993) ArticleTitleDilatancy of rock salt in laboratory tests Int. J. Rock Mech. Sci. Geomech. Abstr. 30 735–738 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0148-9062(93)90015-6
W. J. Soppe H. Donker C. A. Garcia J. Prij (1994) ArticleTitleRadiation-induced stored energy in rock salt J. Nuclear Mater. 217 IssueID1–2 1–31 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0022-3115(94)90301-8
W. J. Soppe J. Prij (1993) ArticleTitleRadiation damage in a rock salt nuclear waste repository Nuclear Technol. 107 243–253
K. Staudtmeister R. B. Rokahr (1997) ArticleTitleRock mechanical design of storage caverns for natural gas in rock salt mass Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 34 IssueID3/4 646
J. G. Yang (1989) ArticleTitleDiscussion on prospect of nuclear waste disposal in rock salt in China J. Huadong Geology College 12 IssueID2 55–62
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Liang, W., Xu, S. & Zhao, Y. Experimental Study of Temperature Effects on Physical and Mechanical Characteristics of Salt Rock. Rock Mech. Rock Engng. 39, 469–482 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-005-0067-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-005-0067-2