Frankovská J., Durmeková T., Kuvik M. & Dananaj I., 2023: Engineering geological and geotechnical study of potencial host rock environments for radioactive waste disposal in Slovakia. Acta Geologica Slovaca, 15, 1, 47–57.

Engineering geological and geotechnical study of potencial host rock environments for radioactive waste disposal in Slovakia

Jana Frankovská¹ , Tatiana Durmeková² , Marián Kuvik¹ & Ivan Dananaj³

¹Department of Geotechnics, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 11, 810 05 Bratislava, Slovakia; jana.frankovska@stuba.sk
²Department of Engineering Geology, Hydrogeology and Applied Geophysics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia; tatiana.durmekova@uniba.sk
³State Geological Institute of Dionýz Štúr, Mlynská dolina 1, 817 04 Bratislava, Slovakia; ivan.dananaj@geology.sk

Abstract

Deep geological repositories are the best way to high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel disposal, which involves the safety and security aspects and the requirements of providing passive protection for future periods after their closure. The aim of this study is to present knowledge about host rock engineering geological and geotechnical properties obtained from preliminary engineering geological investigation on two the most perspective sites for the construction of the deep geological repository in Slovakia. In the crystalline environment, it is the central part of Tribeč Mts.; in the sedimentary environment, it is the southern part of Slovakia (area between Rimavská kotlina basin and Cerová vrchovina Upland). The use of several different testing methods proves to be necessary for the reliable characterization of the host rock environment. Results of laboratory tests on determination of key characteristics are presented and compared with results of field tests realised in comparable rock environments. Since laboratory tests on small specimens are often less reliable to predict the deformability of rock masses, in situ tests are necessary. Dilatometer and pressuremeter testing in comparable crystalline rock environments are analysed, focused on the deformation modulus determination. Statistical analysis to develop relations between the in-situ detected value of Rock Quality Designation or macroscopically estimated degree of faulting in the borehole and deformation parameters is presented. However, dilatometer field tests are universal for various geological conditions and these test methods can be consistently applied to later site investigation stages process.

Key words: deep geological repository, high-level radioactive waste, geological barrier, host rock environment, geotechnical parameters, laboratory and field tests

Manuscript received: 2023-03-21

Revised version accepted: 2023-06-26