Building of a Conceptual Model at the UE25-C Hole Complex

by Kenzi Karasaki, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, United States,
Martin Landsfeld, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, United States,
Ken Grossenbacher, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: High Level Radioactive Waste Management 1990

Abstract:

U.S. Geological Survey and Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory are attempting to construct a conceptual model of the UE25-c hole complex. An interdisciplinary approach is discussed where all the available data are integrated. Site geology, borehole geophysics and hydraulic test results at UE25-c hole complex suggest that groundwater flow may be controlled by fractures and faults. Significant clusters of fractures in the C-holes are perpendicular to bedding and may be cooling cracks or may be tectonically induced. Unresolved evidence indicates that a fault may intersect the C-holes. For these reasons a porous medium approximation of the rock in the saturated zone at the scale of a well test may be inappropriate. Instead, an Equivalent Discontinuum Model is proposed to model the UE25-c complex hydrology. EDM does not reproduce every geometrical detail of the real system, but instead, attempts to reproduce the observed behavior of the fracture system while preserving the inherent discontinuous nature of the system.

Subject Headings: Radioactive wastes | Groundwater flow | Geology | Geological surveys | Hydraulic fracturing | Water resources | Hydrology

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