Beacon - Bentonite Mechanical Evolution (Beacon)
Main funder
Funder's project number: 745942
Funds granted by main funder (€)
- 124 212,50
Funding program
Project timetable
Project start date: 01/06/2017
Project end date: 31/05/2022
Summary
The project “Beacon” (Bentonite Mechanical Evolution) will address key technical issues that must be tackled to support the implementation of planned geological disposal projects for high-level radioactive wastes across the EU. The overall objective of the project is to evaluate the performance of an inhomogeneous bentonite barrier. This will be achieved by cooperation between design and engineering, science and performance assessment. The evolution from an installed engineered system to a fully functioning barrier will be assessed. This will require an increased understanding of material properties and fundamental processes that lead to homogenisation as well as improved capabilities for numerical modelling. The output will be a verification of the performance of current designs for buffers, backfills, seals and plugs and an improved handling of mass losses in long term assessments.