Uneven swelling pressure on the canister simplified load cases derived from uneven wetting, rock contours and buffer density distribution

A number of different load cases that may be harmful for the canister have been investigated. Such load cases are derived from uneven swelling pressure in the buffer material, both during the water saturation phase and after full water saturation. Different cases are critical for the cast iron insert and the copper shell. Simple interpretations of those data and addition of cases may yield unrealistic and thus conservative load cases. No evaluation of the quality and probability of the load cases have been done. Three main types of stress combinations have been considered.