Improved mechanical models & engineering management strategies for the excavation damage zone (EDZ) in sedimentary rocks around underground nuclear waste repositories

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Disposal of nuclear waste is a critical engineering challenge. The international consensus is that underground disposal is the only viable option. Canada, a major waste producer, is currently at the concept research stage for a high-level repository contained in sedimentary rocks. The cost of a repository will exceed $20B and success relies on accurate prediction and management of the Excavation Damage Zone (EDZ) around repository tunnels, pillars and shafts. The EDZ is a suite of concentric zones of disturbed, damaged and fractured rock that can provide pathways for radio-nucleides. The long term research goal is to improve understanding of the mechanical damage response and robust solutions for engineering control of the damage zone in sedimentary rock, at an repository scale. The five key (short term) objectives for the next 5 years of DG research are: