International DECOVALEX project
Country / Region: independent
Begin of project: April 1, 2012
End of project: December 31, 2028
Status of project: December 6, 2024
Comparison of measured and calculated temperatures
Source: BGR
The international DECOVALEX project (Development of coupled models and their validation against experiments in nuclear waste isolation), involves developing material and numerical models to simulate the coupled thermal, hydraulic, mechanical and chemical (THMC) processes in host rocks, and in the geotechnical barrier of a geologic repository system.
After successful elaboration in the D2019 phase, BGR is now participating with the support of the Environmental Research Centre Leipzig (UFZ) in the new DECOVALEX2023 phase. Together with 17 international institutions, BGR will now work on current research topics with the OpenGeoSys (OGS) program code including:
- Fracture generation and propagation in argillaceous rocks as a consequence of high gas pressure
- Dilatancy-controlled gas flow in geotechnical bentonite barriers
- THM-coupled heater experiments in the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory (CH)
- Migration of fluid inclusions in tight rock formations
Partner:
UFZ: Helmholtz-Centre for Enviromental Research (UFZ), Leipzig (D)
GRS: Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit, (D)
SANDIA: Sandia National Lab. (USA)
BGS: British Geological Survey (GB)
LBNL: Berkeley National Lab, (USA)
ANDRA: Agence nationale pour la gestion des déchets radioactifs (F)
ENSI: Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (CH)