Estimation of stress and stress-induced permeability change in a geological nuclear waste repository in a thermo-hydrologically coupled simulation

Geologic disposal is a promising solution for safe permanent isolation of accumulated high-level nuclear waste from powerplants. The behavior host rock highly coupled thermally, hydromechanically, and chemically. Numerical simulations such phenomena the extremely long term (>100,000 years) large length scale (>1 km) geologic remain to be computationally challenging. In this study, methodology has been developed approximate stress stress-induced permeability change in using only thermo-hydrological (TH) variables. A thermo-hydromechanical (THM) simulation carried out TOUGH-FLAC simulator model THM behaviors generic repository, order evaluate performance methodology, which implemented TH simulation. Results show that estimated by TH-coupled match those calculated THM-coupled over simulated timeframe 10,000 years. Details about errors estimates accrued are discussed paper. will help incorporate into existing simulators long-term radionuclide transport disposal.