Mechanical Anisotropy of the Yucca Mountain Tuffs

by R. H. Price, Sandia Natl Lab, Albuquerque, United States,
P. J. Boyd, Sandia Natl Lab, Albuquerque, United States,
R. J. Martin, Sandia Natl Lab, Albuquerque, United States,
R. W. Haupt, Sandia Natl Lab, Albuquerque, United States,
J. S. Noel, Sandia Natl Lab, Albuquerque, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: High Level Radioactive Waste Management 1991

Abstract:

Three series of measurements were performed on oriented cores of several Yucca Mountain tuffs to determine the importance of mechanical anisotropy in the intact rock. Outcrop and drillhole samples were tested for acoustic velocities, linear compressibilities, and strengths in different orientations. The present data sets are preliminary, but suggest the tuffs are transversely anisotropic for these mechanical properties. The planar fabric that produces the anisotropy is believed to be predominantly the result of the preferred orientation of shards and pumice fragments. The potential of significant anisotropy has direct relevance to the formulation of constitutive formulation and the analyses of an underground opening within Yucca Mountain.

Subject Headings: Radioactive wastes | Anisotropy | Waste disposal | Rock mechanics | Underground storage | Mechanical properties | Waste management | Nevada | United States

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