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http://dx.doi.org/10.7733/jnfcwt.2014.12.1.69

The Method for Evaluating Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity of the Bentonite-buffer Using Relative Humidity  

Lee, Hang-Bok (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Kim, Jin-Seop (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Choi, Young-Chul (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Choi, Heui-Joo (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Kim, Kyungsu (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Publication Information
Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT) / v.12, no.1, 2014 , pp. 69-77 More about this Journal
Abstract
Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of the bentonite-buffer was evaluated using the relative humidity data. The method for calculating unsaturated hydraulic conductivity was deduced from the general analytical equation representing the movement of water in unsaturated media, which was applied to the experimental results of water infiltration tests for identifying the behavior of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity according to the water saturation. Unlike the saturated condition, the hydraulic gradient and water flux were irregularly changed, and the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity was increased with increasing the experimental time. Swelling of bentonite grains due to the water absorption increased the volume and size of pore within bentonite, resulting in the increase of water velocity and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. This result suggested the necessity of further investigation on the correlation between the swelling degree of bentonite-buffer and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. The method used in this study can be useful technique for evaluating long-term hydraulic performance of bentonite-buffer in the radioactive waste disposal system.
Keywords
Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity; Relative humidity; Bentonite-buffer; Long-term hydraulic performance;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 2  (Citation Analysis)
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