Coupled THMC Analysis for Predicting Hydro-Mechanical Evolution in Siliceous Mudstone

We developed a coupled THMC model that can describe the long-term evolution in hydraulic and mechanical properties of the rock masses such as permeability and stiffness due to geochemical reactions within rock fractures induced by cavity excavation. Using the developed model, long-term prediction analysis by assuming the subsurface environments near the radioactive waste repository was conducted. Prediction results show that although many fractures are generated near the disposal cavity, which induces the permeability increase and the elastic modulus decrease in the cracked zone during the excavation, after the excavation, the permeability and the elastic modulus of the damaged zone decreased to that of the intact zone and increased to 30 % of the initial permeability, respectively. This evolution in rock permeability and stiffness after excavation was caused by pressure solution at contacting asperities within fractures. Therefore, it is concluded that pressure solution within the fractures has significant impact on the damage of rock masses in EDZ area by cavity excavation.