An assessment of dynamic response prediction for a high-level nuclear waste underground repository

Requirements of 10CFR60 govern the design of an underground nuclear waste repository relative to safe operations, waste retrievability options, and integrity of natural geologic and engineered barriers. Specifically, design of the facilities to withstand the anticipated dynamic environment are of concern in this paper. It represents a summary of an extensive review that was recently compiled by the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses in support of the licensing activities of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Objectives of this work include establishment of the current state for prediction of underground response to seismic and other dynamic events. Capabilities of analytical and numerical models are evaluated, along with independent methods for establishing their validity. Specifically, key parameters are sought for establishing licensing positions on dynamic behavior of tuff media at the Yucca Mountain Nevada proposed repository site.