UK modelling of thermal effects on leakage from hard rock depositories

Thermally induced stress through and around depositories have been calculated assuming the rock to have constant mechanical properties obtained from laboratory measurements and ignoring the effects of existing fractures. After allowing for probable values of the natural stress field, regions of net tension and high shear stress which might cause new fractures were found. This analysis is, however, not yet considered to be reliable because of uncertainty about the above assumptions. Further, even if it is accurate, it is incomplete because it is still not possible to relate quantitatively calculated stresses to changes in permeability and porosity due to changes in existing fractures or initiation of new ones. Accordingly, further theoretical work is being done to plan an underground study of the effects of heating on a well defined fracture. Measurements of strain and modulus will be made to investigate the validity of the mechanical assumptions and hydraulic data will be obtained to relate stress to resistance to flow. It is hoped that further analysis will then allow an assessment of the importance of thermal stress around a depository to be made