https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4962-8678
Abstract
A new experimental device allowing the follow-up of the self-sealing of damaged claystone has been developed. This device consists of a constant volume cell with a displacement transducer tracking the closure of the artificially created diametric fracture. Two additional sensors were installed to obtain additional information: a total pressure sensor monitoring the radial swelling pressure and a mini-pressure sensor inserted within the diametric fracture that measure the pressure changes during the sealing process. To simulate in situ conditions, a series of three small-scale mock-up tests were performed on artificially fractured Opalinus Clay samples from the lower sandy facies of the Mont Terri site. The solutions used were synthetic water with the same salt concentration and pH as the natural neutral pore water, a sodium nitrate (NaNO3) saline solution, and an alkaline solution. Results showed that the end frictions, identified from the evolution of the radial swelling pressure, together with the mini-pressure sensor, control the fracture closing. The mini-pressure sensor that was installed in the first test immediately fell out of service because of hydration, and the radial swelling pressure was affected by the rigid-rigid contact between the sample and the total pressure sensor. This series of tests revealed the key points related to the designed cell for further improvement. In the second design, a cavity to house the mini-pressure sensor was engraved on the facet of one of the two half-samples, and the preparation of this sensor was improved to ensure its water tightness. A cylindrical wedge was fabricated to avoid the rigid-rigid contact. A second series of tests with the same three solutions and the same material were then conducted. This series has been running for 270 days and its results are more satisfactory.
Issue Section:
Technical Papers
References
1.
Adler
, M.
, Mäder
U. K.
, and Waber
H. N.
. 1999
. “High-pH Alteration of Argillaceous Rocks: An Experimental Study
.” Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen
79
: 445
–454
. https://doi.org/10.5169/seals-602192.
Andra International.
1999
. Référentiel Géologique du site de l’Est, Rapport ADS-99-005
. Châtenay-Malabry, France
: Andra International
.3.
Andra International.
2005
. Dossier 2005 Argile Synthesis: Evaluation of the Feasibility of a Geological Repository in an Argillaceous Formation. Meuse/Haute-Marne Site
. Châtenay-Malabry, France
: Andra International
.4.
Andra International.
2020
. The Cigeo Project - France's Industrial Centre for Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste, 568F, DDP/DICOM/20-0002
. Châtenay-Malabry, France
: Andra International
.5.
Barakat
, Y.
, Cui
Y.-J.
, Mokni
N.
, Delage
P.
, and Bernier
F.
. 2022
. “Effects of pH and Exposure Time to Alkaline Solutions on the Mineralogy of the Opalinus Clay from the Lower Sandy Facies of Mont Terri Site
.” Engineering Geology
306
(September
): 106766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2022.1067666.
Barakat
, Y.
, Mokni
N.
, Cui
Y.-J.
, Delage
P.
, and Bernier
F.
. 2024
. “Investigation of the Self-Sealing of Opalinus Clay from the Lower Sandy Facies of Mont Terri Site by Mock-Up Tests with Highly Saline and Alkaline Solutions
.” Canadian Geotechnical Journal
61
, no. 2
(February): 189
–207
. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2022-06157.
Bläsi
, H. R.
, Peters
T. J.
, and Mazurek
M.
. 1991
. Der Opaline Clay des Mont Terri (Kanton Jura): Lithologie, Mineralogie und Physiko-Chemische Gesteinsparameter
. Wettingen, Switzerland
: Nagra
.8.
Bossart
, P.
and Thury
M.
. 2008
. Mont Terri Rock Laboratory–Project, Programme 1996 to 2007 and Results. Swiss Geological Survey, Reports of the Swiss Geological Survey, No. 3
. Wabern, Germany
: Federal Office of Topography
.9.
Chermak
, J. A.
1992
. “Low Temperature Experimental Investigation of the Effect of High pH NaOH Solutions on the Opalinus Shale, Switzerland
.” Clays and Clay Minerals
40
, no. 6
(December): 650
–658
. https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.1992.040060410.
Chermak
, J. A.
1993
. “Low Temperature Experimental Investigation of the Effect of High pH Koh Solutions on the Opalinus Shale, Switzerland
.” Clays and Clay Minerals
41
, no. 3
(June): 365
–372
. https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.1993.041031311.
Claret
, F.
, Bauer
A.
, Schäfer
T.
, Griffault
L.
, and Lanson
B.
. 2002
. “Experimental Investigation of the Interaction of Clays with High-pH Solutions: A Case Study from the Callovo-Oxfordian Formation, Meuse-Haute Marne Underground Laboratory (France)
.” Clays and Clay Minerals
50
, no. 5
(October): 633
–646
. https://doi.org/10.1346/00098600232067936912.
Davy
, C. A.
, Skoczylas
F.
, Barnichon
J.-D.
, and Lebon
P.
. 2007
. “Permeability of Macro-cracked Argillite under Confinement: Gas and Water Testing
.” Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C
32
, nos. 8–14
: 667
–680
. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2006.02.05513.
Dixon
, D.
, Chandler
N.
, Graham
J.
, and Gray
M. N.
. 2002
. “Two Large-Scale Sealing Tests Conducted at Atomic Energy of Canada’s Underground Research Laboratory: The Buffer-Container Experiment and the Isothermal Test
.” Canadian Geotechnical Journal
39
, no. 3
(June): 503
–518
. https://doi.org/10.1139/t02-01214.
Fernández
, R.
, Cuevas
J.
, Sánchez
L.
, de la Villa
R. V.
, and Leguey
S.
. 2006
. “Reactivity of the Cement-Bentonite Interface with Alkaline Solutions Using Transport Cells
.” Applied Geochemistry
21
, no. 6
(June): 977
–992
. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2006.02.01615.
Gaucher
, E. C.
and Blanc
P.
. 2006
. “Cement/Clay Interactions—A Review: Experiments, Natural Analogues, and Modeling
.” Waste Management
26
, no. 7
: 776
–788
. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2006.01.02716.
He
, Y.
, Chen
Y.-G.
, Ye
W.-M.
, Chen
B.
, and Cui
Y.-J.
. 2016
. “Influence of Salt Concentration on Volume Shrinkage and Water Retention Characteristics of Compacted GMZ Bentonite
.” Environmental Earth Sciences
75
, no. 6
(March): 535. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-5228-317.
Hostettler
, B.
, Reisdorf
A. G.
, Jaeggi
D.
, Deplazes
G.
, Bläsi
H. R.
, Morard
A.
, Feist-Burkhardt
S.
, Waltschew
A.
, Dietze
V.
, and Menkveld-Gfeller
U.
. 2017
. “Litho- and Biostratigraphy of the Opaline Clay and Bounding Formations in the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory (Switzerland)
.” In Mont Terri Rock Laboratory, 20 Years: Two Decades of Research and Experiment on Claystones for Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste
, edited by Bossart
P.
and Milnes
A. G.
, 23
–39
. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International
. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70458-6_218.
Hurel
, C.
and Marmier
N.
. 2010
. “Sorption of Europium on a MX-80 Bentonite Sample: Experimental and Modelling Results
.” Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
284
, no. 1
(April): 225
–230
. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-010-0476-x19.
Kneuker
, T.
and Furche
M.
. 2021
. “Capturing the Structural and Compositional Variability of Opalinus Clay: Constraints from Multidisciplinary Investigations of Mont Terri Drill Cores (Switzerland)
.” Environmental Earth Sciences
80
, no. 11
(June): 421. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09708-120.
Lalan
, P.
“Influence d’une Température de 70°C sur la Géochimie, la Microstructure et la Diffusion aux Interfaces Béton/Argile: Expérimentations en Laboratoire, In Situ et Modélisation
.” PhD diss., Paris Sciences et Lettres
, 2016
.21.
Lauper
, B.
, Jaeggi
D.
, Deplazes
G.
, and Foubert
A.
. 2018
. “Multi-proxy Facies Analysis of the Opalinus Clay and Depositional Implications (Mont Terri Rock Laboratory, Switzerland)
.” Swiss Journal of Geosciences
111
, no. 3
(February): 383
–398
. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00015-018-0303-x22.
Matray
, J. M.
and Möri
A.
. 2012
. Petrophysical Measurements on BCD-3 Core Samples from the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory, IRSN/PRP- DGE/2012-00020
. Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
: Institut Radioprotection Sûreté Nucléaire
.23.
Matray
, J. M.
, Savoye
S.
, and Cabrera
J.
. 2007
. “Desaturation and Structure Relationships around Drifts Excavated in the Well-Compacted Tournemire’s Argillite (Aveyron, France)
.” Engineering Geology
90
, nos. 1–2
(March): 1
–16
. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2006.09.02124.
Melkior
, T.
, Mourzagh
D.
, Yahiaoui
S.
, Thoby
D.
, Alberto
J. C.
, Brouard
C.
, and Michau
N.
. 2004
. “Diffusion of an Alkaline Fluid through Clayey Barriers and Its Effect on the Diffusion Properties of Some Chemical Species
.” Applied Clay Science
26
, nos. 1–4
(August): 99
–107
. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2003.10.00625.
Menaceur
, H.
, Delage
P.
, Tang
A. M.
, and Conil
N.
. 2016
. “On the Thermo-hydro-mechanical Behaviour of a Sheared Callovo-Oxfordian Claystone Sample with Respect to the EDZ Behaviour
.” Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
49
, no. 5
(May): 1875
–1888
. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-015-0897-526.
Mokni
, N.
“Deformation and Flow Induced by Osmotic Processes in Porous Materials
.” PhD diss., Technical University of Catalunya
, 2011
.27.
Monfared
, M.
, Sulem
J.
, Delage
P.
, and Mohajerani
N.
. 2014
. “Temperature and Damage Impact on the Permeability of Opalinus Clay
.” Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
47
, no. 1
(January): 101
–110
. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0459-728.
Monnier
, G.
, Stengel
P.
, and Fies
J. C.
. 1973
. “Une Méthode de Mesure de la Densité Apparente de Petits Agglomérats Terreux. Application à L’analyse de Système de Porosité du Sol
.” Annales Agronomiques
24
, no. 5
: 533
–545
.29.
Nagra.
2002
. Synthese der Geowissenschaftlichen Untersuchungsergebnisse, Technischer Bericht 02-03
. Baden, Switzerland
: Nagra
.30.
Nakashima
, Y.
2004
. “Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Properties of Water-Rich Gels of Kunigel-V1 Bentonite
.” Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology
41
, no. 10
: 981
–992
. https://doi.org/10.1080/18811248.2004.972632131.
N’Guessann, E. N. “
Analyse de la Fraction Fine de Roches Argileuses et de Calcaires Jurassiques par Diffraction des Rayons X (DRX) : Vers Une Meilleure Modélisation de la Composition des Eaux Porales
.” Master’s thesis, Paris-Sud University, 2015
.32.
Ould Bouya
, M. L.
, “Acquisition d’un Profil de Perméabilité Intrinsèque au Sein de l’Argile à Opalines du Mont Terri par Analyse Minéralogique et Pétrophysique
.” Master’s thesis, Université Paris-Sud
, 2014
.33.
Pearson
, F. J.
, Arcos
D.
, Bath
A.
, Boisson
J. Y.
, Fernández
A. M.
, Gäbler
H. E.
, Gaucher
E.
, Gautschi
A.
, et al. 2003
. Mont Terri Project–Geochemistry of Water in the Opalinus Clay Formation at the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory -Synthesis Report, Geology Series: Volume 5
. Bern, Switzerland
: Federal Office for Water and Geology (FOWG)
.34.
Pusch
, R.
, Zwahr
H.
, Gerber
R.
, and Schomburg
J.
. 2003
. “Interaction of Cement and Smectitic Clay–Theory and Practice
.” Applied Clay Science
23
, nos. 1–4
(August): 203
–210
. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-1317(03)00104-235.
Rodríguez
, R.
, Sánchez
M.
, Ledesma
A.
, and Lloret
A.
. 2007
. “Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Desiccation of a Mining Waste
.” Canadian Geotechnical Journal
44
, no. 6
(June): 644
–658
. https://doi.org/10.1139/t07-01636.
Taylor
, H. F. W.
1987
. “A Method for Predicting Alkaline Concentrations in Cement Pore Solutions
.” Advances in Cement Research
1
, no. 1
(October): 5
–17
. https://doi.org/10.1680/adcr.1987.1.1.537.
Thyagaraj
, T.
and Rao
S. M.
. 2013
. “Osmotic Swelling and Osmotic Consolidation Behaviour of Compacted Expansive Clay
.” Geotechnical and Geological Engineering
31
, no. 2
(April): 435
–445
. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-012-9596-038.
Thury
, M.
2002
. “The Characteristics of the Opalinus Clay Investigated in the Mont Terri Underground Rock Laboratory in Switzerland
.” Comptes Rendus. Physique
3
, nos. 7-8
: 923
–933
, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1631-0705(02)01372-539.
Van Geet
, M.
, Bastiaens
W.
, and Ortiz
L.
. 2008
. “Self-Sealing Capacity of Argillaceous Rocks: Review of Laboratory Results Obtained from the SELFRAC Project
.” Physics and Chemistry of the Earth Parts, A/B/C
33
, Supplement 1: S396
–S406
. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2008.10.06340.
Vanbrabant
, Y.
, Vervoot
A.
, and Wevers
M.
. 2002
. “Self-Healing Processes in Clay-Dominant Rocks Using Acoustic Emission Technique: First Results of Laboratory Experiments
.” In International Meeting on Clays in Natural and Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Confinement
, 45
–46
. Châtenay-Malabry, France: Agence Nationale pour la Gestion des Dechets Radioactifs
.41.
Ye
, W.
, Schanz
T.
, Qian
L.
, Wang
J.
, and Arifin
Y.
. 2007
. “Characteristics of Swelling Pressure of Densely Compacted Gaomiaozi Bentonite GMZ01
.” Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering
26
, Supplement 1 (December): 3861
–3865
.42.
Ye
, W. M.
, Zheng
Z. J.
, Chen
B.
, Chen
Y. G.
, Cui
Y. J.
, and Wang
J.
. 2014
. “Effects of pH and Temperature on the Swelling Pressure and Hydraulic Conductivity of Compacted GMZ01 Bentonite
.” Applied Clay Science
101
(November
): 192
–198
. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2014.08.00243.
Yu
, C.
“Comparative Study of Convective and Diffusive Transport Phenomena within the Opalinus Clay of Mont Terri
.” PhD diss., Aix Marseille Université
, 2017
.44.
Zhang
, C.-L.
2011
. “Experimental Evidence for Self-Sealing of Fractures in Claystone
.” Physics and Chemistry of the Earth Parts, A/B/C
36
, nos. 17–18
: 1972
–1980
. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2011.07.03045.
Zhang
, C.-L.
2013
. “Sealing of Fractures in Claystones
.” Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
5
, no. 3
(June): 214
–220
. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2013.04.00146.
Zhang
, C.-L.
2016
. “The Stress-Strain-Permeability Behavior of Clay Rock during Damage and Recompaction
.” Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
8
, no. 1
(February): 16
–26
. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2015.10.00147.
Zhang
, C.-L.
and Rothfuchs
T.
. 2008
. “Damage and Sealing of Clay Rocks Detected by Measurements of Gas Permeability
.” Physics and Chemistry of the Earth Parts, A/B/C 33
, Supplement 1: S363
–S373
. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2008.10.013
This content is only available via PDF.
All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced or copied, in whole or part, in any printed, mechanical, electronic, film, or other distribution and storage media, without the written consent of ASTM International.
You do not currently have access to this content.
