Characterization of Swelling Clays as Components of the Engineered Barrier System for Geological Repositories

This publication presents the results of a coordinated research project (CRP) carried out between 2002 and 2007 on the subject of swelling clays proposed for use as a component in the engineered barrier system (EBS) of the multibarrier concept for disposal of radioactive waste. The structure of the book includes an overview of the repository concepts of the Member States involved in the CRP; a general description of key material properties and a means of assessing those properties of relevance to screening potentially suitable swelling clays for repository use; and a summary of the properties measured for the candidate materials selected by each of the participating Member States and a preliminary assessment of their potential suitability for use as a component of the EBS of a deep geological repository. The publication contributes to the process of swelling clay identification, characterization and evaluation for potential suitability for deep geological repository applications.