Geotechnical barriers in the repository concept for HLW disposal in rock salt

Plugs and sealings play an important role in the safety concept for repositories in rock salt. The sealing design for the German safety concept is based on a refilling of the open void volumes in the emplacement areas after disposal of the waste with crushed salt. The cross drifts of the disposal areas will be sealed with dams against the main drifts and the transport drifts with sealings against the infrastructure area. Shaft sealings are needed to prevent water inflow through the shafts. Some analogues addressing selected aspects for the long-term behaviour of such geotechnical barriers have already been identified. However, an information exchange with industry might help to find additional 'industrial' analogues to be used in repositories in rock salt. (authors)