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

核废料的处理是一项关键的工程挑战。国际共识是，地下处置是唯一可行的选择。加拿大是一个主要的废物产生国，目前正处于沉积岩高水平贮存库的概念研究阶段。储存库的成本将超过200亿美元，成功与否取决于对储存库隧道、柱子和竖井周围的开挖破坏区（EDZ）的准确预测和管理。EDZ是一组受扰动、破坏和破裂岩石的同心区域，可以为放射性核素提供通道。长期研究目标是提高对机械损伤响应的理解，并在储存库规模上为沉积岩损伤区的工程控制提供可靠的解决方案。未来五年DG研究的五个主要（短期）目标是：

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: