Numerical simulation of the creep response of model salt pillars

A series of model pillar creep response calculations has been performed using a cylindrical model pillar configuration with the reference creep law and material properties for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). Pillar shortenings obtained from these calculations using the finite element code, SANCHO, are presented and compared to measurements obtained from laboratory model pillar experiments performed by Lomenick in the 1960's. The calculations generally underpredict the measured responses for early parts of the tests. For many tests, the computed responses are greater than the measurements near the end of the test durations. The underpredictions at early times are similar to the underpredictions obtained when data and calculations for the South Drift portion of the WIPP are compared