Understanding water migration behavior of unsaturated bentonites for HLW-disposal project

Abstract

This study discussed water migration behavior in a bentonite-based buffer from an unsaturated state to saturation by the laboratory experiments measuring water absorption and swelling pressure. It investigated and considered water migration behavior in an unsaturated bentonite from the viewpoint of material specifications such as the kinds of bentonite and dry density. From the experimentally obtained results, water migration behaviors in various unsaturated bentonites as buffer are analogous to water-diffusion from initial water content to around 90% saturation degree.