Mechanical behavior of an underground research facility in Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute

An underground research facility (KURF) is under construction at KAERI for the in situ studies related to the validation of a HLW disposal system. For the safe construction and long-term researches at KURF, mechanical stability of the facility should be evaluated. In this study, 3D mechanical stability analysis using the rock mass properties determined from various in situ as well as laboratory tests was carried out. From the analysis, it was possible to predict the rock deformation, stress concentration, and plastic zone developed before and after the excavation. A test blasting was performed to characterize the site dependent dynamic response, which can be used for the prediction of the blasting impact on the facilities in KAERI.