Catsius Clay Project. Calculation and Testing of Behaviour of Unsaturated Clay as Barrier in Radioactive Waste Repositories. Stage 1: Verification Exercises

The prescribed flow in a rigid homogeneous isotropic unsaturated medium was considered, and two cases envisaged: i) vertical flow and ii) horizontal flow. In both cases, predictions were satisfactory for all partners. The flow in a rigid homogeneous isotropic and saturated porous medium due to a spherical source of heat was considered, and two cases envisaged: a) low porosity (analytical solution available) and b) high porosity (analytical solution not available). Temperature distributions for both case A and case B depend mainly on heat conduction. Correct predictions were found by AND, CLA, ISM, UPC, UOL and UWC. Pressure distribution for case A depends mainly on buoyancy effects. In this case correct predictions were found by AND, CLA, UPC, UOL and UWC. Pressure distribution for case B depends mainly on thermal expansion of the fluid. It has been found that only CLA, ISM, UPC and UOL found a satisfactory prediction in this case. (Author)