Characterisation of long-term geological changes for disposal sites

Site characterization and evaluation are important elements for determining the site suitability and long-term safety of geological repositories for radioactive waste disposal, and to provide vital information for the design of the underground facility and the engineered barrier system. The NEA-RWMC (Radioactive Waste Management Committee) established the Coordinating Group on Site Evaluation and Design of Experiments (SEDE) for radioactive waste disposal to address the many issues related to site characterization and evaluation. The objectives of the SEDE workshop, held in Paris on of 19-21 September 1994, were: to review experience in characterizing long-term geological changes in national programmes; to develop an understanding of the coupling and the relationships between geological processes; to discuss methods of hypothesis testing in the characterization of long-term geological change; and to develop ideas for planning and carrying out measurements of these long-term changes. The workshop acknowledged the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in gathering information on long-term geological change for assessing the safety of deep repositories and for sitting and designing such facilities. These proceedings reproduce the 12 papers presented at the workshop and include an executive summary (not analysed). (J.S.)