Abstract
For the assessment of the long-term stability of deep geological repositories of high-level radioactive waste (HLW), the information on in-situ stress field is a key parameter. We recently performed a great number of hydraulic fracturing tests within 1000 m vertical depths in the Shazaoyuan rock block, a new candidate site for HLW disposal in northwest China to clarify its stress field. The results show that the maximum (σH) and minimum (σh) horizontal stresses increase in gradients of 0.0193 ± 0.0018 MPa/m and 0.0143 ± 0.001 MPa/m, respectively, and the largest value is less than 30.65 MPa within the tested depths. The Shazaoyuan rock block is characterized by a thrust stress regime (σH > σh > σv) at depths above 426 m, whereas strike-slip (σH > σv > σh) within 426–1000 m depths interval where σv is the vertical stress. The stress field of the Shazaoyuan is rotated by 90° with respect to the larger regional trend, but parallel to the NW-striking fault system inside the site. Our findings manifest that the Shazaoyuan stress field which shows NW-oriented σH and greater horizontal stresses is a rare local stress field generated under the NE regional forces. One possible explanation for this dramatic rotation is the potential perturbation of the NW-trending fault system on the regional stress field. Finally, we discuss the geomechanical stability of the site and find that it is currently in stability state, being suitable for HLW disposal. This study provides important information for site suitability assessment of HLW disposal, also a reference for stress field prediction in similar geological settings.
Highlights
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To assess the stress field of Shazaoyuan, a new site for HLW disposal in NW China, 119 sets of stress value and 50 sets of orientation data were successfully obtained up to a depth of 1000 m.
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The Shazaoyuan block is a local stress field with an NW orientation of σH and a greater horizontal stress level, which is generated under the NE-oriented regional stress forces.
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The σH orientation in the Shazaoyuan rock block is parallel to the fault system that bounds the block which allows the hypothesis that this is causing the local σH rotation.
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The Shazaoyuan site is in geomechanical stability because the rock mass is far away from generating new fractures and faults striking in NW and NE are far away from re-activation.
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Data Availability
All data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
This research was supported by the China Atomic Energy Authority through the geological disposal program, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 42177175, 11972149), Central Public-interest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund (DZLXJK202204), and the National Science and Technology Major Project (No. 2016ZX05034–003). The excellent collaboration of all participants is greatly appreciated. The authors also thank the two anonymous reviewers and the editor for their valuable comments and suggestions that significantly improved this paper.
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XQ: conceptualization, methodology, formal analysis, investigation, writing-original draft. XZ: conceptualization, writing-review and editing. CZ: formal analysis, investigation. PL: investigation. QC: investigation, supervision. JW: supervision, project administration.
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Qin, X., Zhao, X., Zhang, C. et al. Measurement and Assessment of the In-Situ Stress of the Shazaoyuan Rock Block, a Candidate Site for HLW Disposal in Northwest China. Rock Mech Rock Eng (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-024-03775-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-024-03775-z