THMC behaviour of bentonite and bentonite mixture:
From the experimental investigation to the numerical modelling.

OVERVIEW

We are happy to invite you to the ANCHORS training course, which will be held in Liege between 27 August and 29 August 2025.

This school is organized within the framework of EURAD2 – European Joint programme on Radioactive waste management (grant agreement No 101166718) – whose one of its objectives is to develop, maintain and consolidate the scientific and technical basis of radioactive waste management. This doctoral school focuses on the ANCHORS Work Package of the EURAD2 Joint Programme.

The main objective of the WP ANCHORS is to increase the optimisation potential of bentonite barrier systems: buffer, backfill and seals, and the Safety Case resilience. The activities of the WP are twofold:

1) qualifying the Hydro-Mechanical (HM) behaviour of various kinds of bentonite types and mixtures through laboratory experimental programme focused on heterogeneity, chemical effects and friction at different scales

2) improving the numerical tools that are necessary to carry out performance assessment of bentonite barriers in a Thermo Hydro Mechanical Chemical (Gas) (THMC(G)) repository environment.

Geomechanics plays a significant role in the understanding of the relevant thermo-hydro²-chemio-mechanical couplings taking place around the disposal. The objectives of the school is therefore to provide the state-of-the-art on basic concepts related to the THMC(G) couplings, the experimental investigation of complex hydro-mechanical behaviour of various bentonite types and mixtures, and the numerical modelling of the multiphysical phenomena.

For further information, see attached PDF.