Development and implementation; designing, running and interpreting experiments, coordination of multidisciplinary, international projects.
BACKGROUND
URLs play a key role in supporting the development and testing of geological disposal concepts and their associated safety cases.
Long involvement in particular with the Grimsel Test Site – ranging from planning the seminal radionuclide migration experiment to development of the concept of the multi-decade phase VI programme.
This experience is complemented by extensive support of 2 generations of URL projects in Japan.
EXPERIENCE
URLs play a key role in supporting the development and testing of geological disposal concepts and their associated safety cases. Our team have very long involvement here, in particular with the Grimsel Test Site. This ranges from planning and supporting implementation of the seminal radionuclide migration experiment to development of the concept of the multi-decade phase VI programme, with a special focus on large-/full-scale tests of engineered barrier systems. This experience is complemented by extensive support of 2 generations of URL projects in Japan, development of URLs as a focus for training programmes and ongoing planning of very long-term in-site experiments to better support repository licensing for construction, operation and eventual closure.
Relevant publications include:
- Kickmaier W., McCombie C., McKinley I.G. and Scourse E.M. (2013). The strategic role of underground rock laboratories in a geological disposal programme. IHLRWM 2013, 974-979.
- Biggin,C., Möri A., Alexander W.R., Ota K., Frieg B., Kickmaier W. and McKinley I.G. (2003). In situ radionuclide retardation in groundwater conducting systems: overview of the research carried out at Nagra's Grimsel Test site, central Switzerland. pp 207-228 in Environmental Radiochemical Analysis II (ed P.Warwick) RSC, London, UK.
- Kickmaier W., Vomvoris S., Alexander W.R., Frieg B. and McKinley I.G. (2002). Grimsel Test Site - Finalisation of Phase V and initiation of phase VI. Proc. WM'02 (CD).
- Kickmaier W., Alexander W.R., Möri A. and McKinley I.G. (2001). In-situ studies of actinide behaviour at the Grimsel Test Site. Actinides 2001, Hayama, Japan.
- Alexander W.R., Vomvoris S. and McKinley I.G. (2001). Grimsel 2000 - Status of international projects at the Grimsel Test Site (GTS), Sci. Basis Nucl. Waste Manag., XXIV, 893-900.
- Kickmaier W. and McKinley I.G. (1997). A review of research carried out in European rock laboratories. Nuclear Engineering & Design, 176, 75-81.
- McCombie C., Kickmaier W., McKinley I.G., Sprecher C. and Thury M. (1997). Swiss underground rock laboratories in crystalline and clay - Rationale for technical programme choice. Proc. ICEM'97, 409-413.
- Alexander W.R., Frieg B., Short S.A., Kawamura H. and McKinley I.G. (1994). Model testing in the extreme? Excavation of the site of an in situ radionuclide migration experiment. Proc. ANS topical meeting Focus `93, pp. 71-78.