Prediction of the hydro-mechanical response during shaft sinking for the proposed Nirex Rock Characterisation Facility near Sellafield, Cumbria, United Kingdom

The coupled hydro-mechanical responses in the fractured volcaniclastic rock s of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group. Sellafield, Cumbria, to a long-term pum p test and the proposed shaft sinking phase of Nirex's Rock Characterisatio n Facility was studied by research trams under the auspices of the secund p hase of DECOVALEX project. This paper discusses the background and objectiv es of the study and provides a brief summary of the results and major scien tific and logistical lessons learnt. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rig hts reserved.