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Abstract <p>Geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) is a critical shared issue for countries that use nuclear energy. Ensuring long-term safety requires an understanding of coupled thermal–hydrological–mechanical–chemical (THMC) processes, as they directly affect the performance of both engineered and natural barriers. This study reviews the literature on THMC phenomena demonstrated in Japanese underground facilities, their reproduction in laboratory-scale experiments, and approaches for predicting the long-term evolution of host rock properties. Synthesizing these findings, we clarify the progress to date and identify research required for future repository development. The review highlights key directions for further work: improving the understanding of coupled THMC behavior in host rock after waste emplacement; establishing repository design methodologies considering the THMC interactions between EBS and host rock mass; and enhancing computational efficiency through the use of surrogate modeling and advanced artificial intelligence technologies. Such innovations are expected to refine repository design and improve the reliability of long-term safety assessments, thereby contributing to the implementation of HLW geological disposal.</p> Highlights <p><UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> <p>Safe disposal of HLW requires an understanding of coupled thermal–hydrological–mechanical–chemical processes.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>Case studies at underground facilities in Japan provided insights into THMC interactions and host rock behavior.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>The THMC behavior of an engineered barrier system and near-field demonstrated at underground facilities can be simulated well.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>Incorporating coupled THMC phenomena into repository design is essential for reliable long-term performance.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>A digital twin approach that integrates monitoring and simulations can refine the repository design and enhance the reliability of safety assessments.</p> </ItemContent> </UnorderedList></p>

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A Review of Thermal–Hydrological–Mechanical–Chemical Coupling Studies on the Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste in Japan

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月26日

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  • Kazuhei Aoyagi,
  • Yusuke Ozaki,
  • Sho Ogata,
  • Hideaki Yasuhara,
  • Masataka Sawada,
  • Soshi Nishimoto,
  • Hiroyuki Shimizu,
  • Masakazu Chijimatsu

摘要

Abstract

Geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) is a critical shared issue for countries that use nuclear energy. Ensuring long-term safety requires an understanding of coupled thermal–hydrological–mechanical–chemical (THMC) processes, as they directly affect the performance of both engineered and natural barriers. This study reviews the literature on THMC phenomena demonstrated in Japanese underground facilities, their reproduction in laboratory-scale experiments, and approaches for predicting the long-term evolution of host rock properties. Synthesizing these findings, we clarify the progress to date and identify research required for future repository development. The review highlights key directions for further work: improving the understanding of coupled THMC behavior in host rock after waste emplacement; establishing repository design methodologies considering the THMC interactions between EBS and host rock mass; and enhancing computational efficiency through the use of surrogate modeling and advanced artificial intelligence technologies. Such innovations are expected to refine repository design and improve the reliability of long-term safety assessments, thereby contributing to the implementation of HLW geological disposal.

Highlights

Safe disposal of HLW requires an understanding of coupled thermal–hydrological–mechanical–chemical processes.

Case studies at underground facilities in Japan provided insights into THMC interactions and host rock behavior.

The THMC behavior of an engineered barrier system and near-field demonstrated at underground facilities can be simulated well.

Incorporating coupled THMC phenomena into repository design is essential for reliable long-term performance.

A digital twin approach that integrates monitoring and simulations can refine the repository design and enhance the reliability of safety assessments.