Long term water flow scenario in low-level waste disposal vaults, with particular regard to concrete structures in El Cabril, Cordoba, Spain

This paper deals with the main durability design objectives adopted for the Spanish Low-level waste disposal facility of El Cabril. The presentation summarizes the studies and models developed to represent the performance of the reinforced concrete vaults. Particular attention is paid to recent developments in modelling the water flow through the disposal system and its humidity saturation and their relation to the long term behaviour of the concrete barriers. It also describes the work being carried out to improve the existing models as a part of the required effort to maintain up to date the performance assessment of the facility.