Practical Application of the KMS: 2) Site Characterisation

Abstract

The characterisation of potential repository sites will produce huge volumes of information, which must be correlated, quality assured, integrated, analysed, documented and archived in a rigorous and efficient manner. While some of this work involves rather routine data handling that may be easily automated, much of it requires input of tacit knowledge which involves the experience of expert staff. To provide support for the Japanese implementer and also the regulator, a JAEA team is attempting to capture both Japanese and international geosynthesis experience within a Knowledge Management System (KMS) framework, which is termed ISIS. This is a hybrid system that combines “smart” software with human experts, although an aim is to capture tacit knowledge within expert systems to the maximum extent practicable. Initial tests, based mainly on field work carried out by JAEA at the sites of the Mizunami and Horonobe underground research laboratories, have utilised expert systems as modules in a “blackboard system” approach to planning or implementing the processing of field data. Examples are presented of sub-systems where this approach has already been demonstrated and perspectives for more extensive application to integrated geosynthesis management are discussed.

New Research on Knowledge Management Technology

“…The chapter introduces the background to this initiative and the basic approach selected, and then review progress to date in this work, with emphasis on tailoring of existing Knowledge Engineering tools and methods to radioactive waste management requirements, and outline future developments and challenges (Umeki et al, 2009;Osawa et al, 2009b;Semba et al, 2009;Makino et al, 2009a;Makino et al, 2011).…”

A Challenge on Development of an Advanced Knowledge Management System (KMS) for Radioactive Waste Disposal: Moving from Theory to Practice

“…In particular, planning and managing the characterisation programme results in challenges, due to the inherent uncertainty in site understanding and the inevitable surprises that will occur. To provide support for NUMO, which may need to run several field programmes in parallel -and also the regulator, which is expected to follow these and provide input for key decisions -JAEA is attempting to capture both Japanese and international geosynthesis experience within a KMS component, termed the Information Synthesis and Interpretation System (ISIS) (Osawa et al, 2009a;Semba et al, 2009). ISIS is being developed by applying advanced electronic information technology and knowledge engineering approaches; it will include an extensive knowledge base, expert systems utilising an inference engine and an archive for rule-based and/or case-based reasoning as major constituent elements (Figure 7).…”

“…Special thanks go to Dr. Ian G. McKinley (McKinley consulting) and Dr. Hiroyasu Takase (Quintessa Limited K.K.). The authors also thank the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) for granting permission to use excerpts from the Proceedings of the ICEM'09: 12th International Conference on Environmental and Radioactive Waste Management (Osawa et al, 2009b;Semba et al, 2009). This study includes the output of research carried out under a contract with METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) as part of its R&D support programme for developing geological disposal technology.…”