1. ERDC Knowledge Core
2. Pre - Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
3. Structures Laboratory - (4/16/1978 - 2/22/2001)
4. Publication
5. Miscellaneous Paper

Title:	Examinations of simulated borehole specimens
Authors:	United States. Department of Energy. Battelle Memorial Institute. Office of Nuclear Waste Isolation. Sandia National Laboratories Rhoderick, Jay E. Buck, Alan D.
Keywords:	Borehole plugging Rock-grout contact Cement grouts Mortar Storage of radioactive wastes Radioactive waste disposal Grouting X-ray diffraction Radioactive wastes Concrete
Publisher:	Structures Laboratory (U.S.) Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Series/Report no.:	Miscellaneous paper (U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station) ; SL-81-7.
Description:	Miscellaneous Paper Abstract: The quality of the contact between portland cement grout and surrounding rock will be of prime importance if grout is used to seal boreholes for the isolation of nuclear waste. The contact will need to be tight and relatively impermeable. In the study reported herein, simulated borehole (SBH) specimens were prepared and tested in the laboratory. The specimens consisted of grout poured into a hole in sections of anhydrite rock core that had been grouted into a steel pipe to provide restraint. The study was largely devoted to investigating methods of avoiding artifacts during preparation of these SBH specimens for study of the grout-to-rock contact. The work was conducted and is reported in two parts. The first part was a study in which only large round SBH specimens (about 6 by 6 in.) were used, while the second also included some smaller round SBH specimens (about 3 by 3 in.). The following were among the findings: (A.) The type of specimen (SBH) merits study as a simulation of the grout-to-rock contact in a borehole or other cavity. (B.) Since the ends of the SBH specimens are invariably smeared over with grout, fresh fracture surfaces from these specimens are needed for such studies. (C.) The restraining ring should be kept in place to avoid stress relief cracking of the SBH specimens. (D.) Drying of the SBH specimens should be avoided since this leads to cracking along the contact surface (grout-to-rock) and in the grout. (E.) Since specimen drying is a usual part of preparation before scanning electron microscope examination, this method of examination should not be used unless special precautions to avoid drying can be implemented. (F.) A method of keeping an SBH specimen continuously wet during sample preparation and examination was developed and was found satisfactory. (G.) Examination of the grout-to-rock contact in a wet SBH specimen with a stereomicroscope is recommended.
Rights:	Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/11681/10998
Appears in Collections:	Miscellaneous Paper