A framework for validation and its application on the site characterization for the swedish hard rock laboratory

SKB plans to construct an underground research laboratory, the Hard Rock Laboratory close to the CLAB facility in the southeast part of Sweden. The project is a part of the comprehensive R and D programme, SKB (1989) to implement a safe final disposal of the spent fuel in Sweden. Pre-investigation for the HRL was launched 1986. These investigations will be concluded during 1990, before construction of the Laboratory begins. The construction of the Laboratory provides an unique opportunity to evaluate the value of the pre-investigations. During the course of the project it was found to be fruiful to structure all these possible predictions with respect to geometric scale and to major issues as related to design and safety analysis for a HLW-repository. The rationale for this approach is further discussed in this report. Furthermore the paper outlines the adopted validation procedure and gives the rationale for: - which predictions will/can be made before start of construction - how the outcome during construction will be compared with earlier hypotheses - how a judgement will be formed whether a prediction is good enough and validated or if characterization should continue into greater detail. 1 fig., 2 tabs., 3 refs