ML20052A813
| ML20052A813 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/12/1982 |
| From: | Greeves J NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Bell M, Justus P, Martin J NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| REF-WM-1 HLWR, NUDOCS 8204290215 | |
| Download: ML20052A813 (7) | |
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UNITED STATES
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Those on Attached List lil 52 Gn FROM:
John T. Greeves, Section Leader j
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Design Section
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SUBJECT:
NRC/D0E/RH0 MEETING IN RICHLAND, WA ON JANUARY 2
NRC's record of the phone conversation between NRC/ RHO on February 1, 1982 is attached. This phone conversation was arranged as a follow-up to the NRC/ RHO meating of January 12-13, 1982 at Richland, WA.
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[/ John T. Greeves, Section Leader Desijn Section High '_evel Waste Technical Detelopment Branch Division of Waste Management
Enclosure:
As Stated 1
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Addressees - Memorandum Dated l
J. B. Martin, WM M. J._ Bell, WMHL P. S. Justus, WMHT-J. T. Greeves, WMHT
. BWIP Review Team, NRC R. Stein, DOE t
R. Goranson, DOE,-
l D. Squires, DOE R. Deju, RHO v' K. Kim, RHO v' i,
K. T. Thirumalai, RH0v E. Zurflueh, RES l
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3109.3/LFH/82/02/10/0 '
WMHT:3109.3 Phone Conversation February 1,1982 between:
NRC RHO R. Wright
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- 8. Dietz J. Greeves K. Kim ~
L. Hartung K. T. Thirumalai I
t J. Rhoderick E. Zurflueh T. Seamans PURPOSE: To review design information provided by DOE at the January 12, 1982 meeting at Richland, WA with the NRC.
1 The conference call was opened by RHO making some general comments.
These comments emphasized that the DOE headquarters. is presently evaluating techniques to:
(1) accelerate the Waste ifanagement program; (2) move faster with the testing programs; and (3) move faster with the Exploratory Shaft (ES).
NRC's opening comments encouraged and supported additional meetings and discussions between DOE / RHO and NRC with the objective of identifying as e
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3109.3/LFH/82/02/10/0 many issues as possible prior to submission of the SCR.
It was agreed to start the meeting by discussing "Other Areas of Concern",
attached to the January 12, 1982 00E/RH0 Briefing Package.
00E/ RHO outlined "The State of In Situ Stress at the Reference Repository" section.
In Situ stress data have been obtained by the hydrofracturing method from drill holes DC-12 and D8-15.
Four tests were conducted at the Reference Repopitory horizon (3400' to 3500') in the Umtanum Flow.
The average value for the ratio of maximum horizontal stress to vertical stress was 2.1. to 1.0.
These test values ranged between ratios of 1.8 to 2.5.
The ratio of horizontal stress normal to the maximum stress direction was estimated to be 1.4 to 1.0.
The rock is an anisotropic medium.
The horizontal stress anisotropy ratio is est'imated to be 1.5.
Few data are available to develop a stress profile showing the stress fields as n
they relate to depth.
RHO is making preparations to conduct additional hydrofracturing tests in 08-15, DC-9, and RRL-2.
The USGS is scheduled (April) to conduct hydrofracturing tests in DC-12.
A new drill rig and a new type of packer are being used in the hydrofracturing tests as a result of the analysis of the results of tests made at the RRL in September,-1981. Hydrofracture testing in DC-15 should be completed by February 8 and testing in DC-12 should be m
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3109.3/LFH/82/02/10/0 completed two weeks later. 'The point was emphasized that the test results are preliminary and that conclusive test values can not be obtained until the in-situ tests are conducted in the ES.
Repository design was the second section discussed by RH0. The higher stress ratio will effect the design of openings.
Preliminary _ finite element analysis by Kaiser /PBDQ shows that the shape of the openings should be revised from the present design (" arch" shape) to the " flat ellipse" shape in order to comperisate for the higher horizontal stress.
Horseshoe shapcs tunnels would need substantial support. Excavation of a " flat elliptical" shaped tunnel would need minimum support.
The impacts of these data are being studied. Design revisions and schedule updating are being made but no funds have been made a ailable to revise the BWIP conceptual design package. The present schedule projects an estinate of late FY82 to early FY83 for completion of the revised design. The revised BWIP conceptual design (Kaiser /PBDQ, Sept.1981) will reflect a horizontal to vertical stress ratio of 2.0 as the basis of design.
Excavation will be oriented so that the recository layout is compatable with the horizontal stress field.
The preliminary analysis also showed that there will be no problems at corners of intersecting drifts or other areas associated with concentrations of stress.
It was judged by DOE /RH0 that there would be no problems with l
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rock bursts or large scale fallouts. The question was asked, "what effects would this have on other aspects of the repository?" The flat ellipse shape, which has a height to width ratio of 0.5, would affect the decision on the types or shalpes of the canisters, and the orientation of the canister in the rock (i.e. place incat in the walls), and the types of emplacement equipment. The problem in drill holes of rock squeezing in on drill bits has been a concern recognized when drilling in areas of -
high horizontal compressive stress.
It was stated by RH0 that this would not be a problem because the drill holes would be advanced in the same direction as the maximum stress.
(Note: NRC had reservations with the answer given on this point.) 00E/RH0 also noted that to date, no squeezing in drillholes was observed on site.
s The in-situ test program at BWIP was discussed. A copy of the Phase I plan for the ES was given to the NRC at the January meeting at Hanford.
A copy of the Phase II plan will be available in June 1982. The ES will be drilled to a diameter of 10 feet. 00E/RH0 and.NRC agreed that there is no correlation between the design /constructability information obtained from
" blind bored" ES and the drili and blas' technique proposed for the t
shafts in a repository.
It was assumed by RHO that drilling technology would be sufficiently advanced in the next five years to allow drilling larger diameter holes (e.g., 16 foot diameter).
Drifting off the experimental Shaft would be completed after 1985. The experimental shaft (ES) in situ tests and testing of seals are planned to be completed by 1986.
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3109.3/LFH/82/02/10/0 As the meeting ended, it was agreed that this type of discussion should be continued. Since the BWIP Waste Management program was advancing rapidly and the SCR will be submitted in about six months, it was
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suggested by DOE / RHO that the NRC consider establishing a liaison office at Hanford. This suggestion will be considered by the NRC.
KEY p0INTS.
Preliminary tests indicate a Horizontal to Vertical Compressive o
Stress ratio of 2.1.
This will be confirmed by in situ tests.
The main impact on Repository Design will be to modify openings to a o
flat elliptical shape, placement of waste packages may be in the walls (i.e. not in the floors) and emplace.nent equipment may be cnanged.
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