Numerical analysis of Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical coupled behavior in Korean reference HLW disposal system (KRS)

Decay heat can influence temperature distribution at Engineered Barrier System (EBS) and at Natural Barrier System (NBS) in Korean Reference HLW disposal System (KRS). Water inflow from the rockmass can influence thermal conductivity of buffer materials. It can affect the thermal behavior. And thermal stress due to decay heat and swelling pressure due to the water inflow can change the stress condition at the disposal system and at the rock mass near the system. In this study, numerical modeling was performed to enhance the understanding of THM coupled processes in the KRS. Numerical modeling was performed to investigate influence of THM processes on KRS involving the interaction of multi-components including buffer materials, canister, and rockmass over 1000 years. The maximum temperature at the interface between canister and buffer can satisfy temperature criteria of 100.