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Effect of Radiation on Topopah Spring Tuff Mechanical Properties

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 September 2012

P. A. Berge  and
S. C. Blair
P. A. Berge
Affiliation:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab., Livermore, CA 94550, bergel@llnl.gov, blair5@llnl.gov
S. C. Blair
Affiliation:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab., Livermore, CA 94550, bergel@llnl.gov, blair5@llnl.gov
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Abstract

The effect of radiation on the mechanical properties of Topopah Spring tuff was investigated by performing uniaxial compressive tests on irradiated and control samples of the tuff from the potential repository horizon at Yucca Mountain. Test results are presented, including stress-strain curves and peak strength and Young's modulus values. The results from this preliminary study show that for uncracked samples of Topopah Spring tuff, exposure to gamma radiation had no discernible effect on the unconfined compressive (peak) strength or the Young's modulus. However, results for samples that contained partially healed subvertical cracks indicate that exposure to radiation may reduce the strength and Young's modulus significantly. This is attributed to weakening of the cementing materials in the cracks and fractures of the samples that were irradiated. These results are preliminary, and additional studies are warranted to evaluate whether radiation weakens cementing materials in welded tuff.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 465: Symposium II – Scienfific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XX , 1996 , 641
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1997

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References

REFERENCES

1. Blair, S.C., Kelly, J. M., Pine, O., Pletcher, R., and Berge, P. A., Effect of Radiation on the Mechanical Properties of Topopah Spring Tuff, LLNL report UCRL-ID-122899 (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 1996), 29 pp.10.2172/273786Google Scholar
2. Durham, W.B., Beiriger, J. M., Axelrod, M., and Trettenero, S., The effect of gamma irradiation on the strength and elasticity of Climax Stock and Westerly granites, Nuclear and Chemical Waste Management 6, 159–168 (1986).Google Scholar
3. Price, R. H., Nimick, K. G., and Zirzow, J. A., Uniaxial and Triaxial Compression Test Series on Topopah Spring Tuff, SNL report SAND82–1723 (Sandia National Laboratory, Albuquerque, NM, 1982).Google Scholar