The response of Opalinus clay due to heating: A combined analysis of in situ measurements, laboratory investigations and numerical calculations

For characterization of the THM response of Opalinus clay host rock DBE TECHNOLOGY participates in a heater experiment called HE-D at the Mont Terri URL (Switzerland). For evaluation of thermal expansion effects on the deformation of host rock and underground cavities a combined analysis of measurements, laboratory investigation on drill core samples and mathematical calculations has been performed.This paper presents preliminary results of the fiber optic temperature and deformation measurements performed during the in situ heater test as well as the thermo-physical rock properties determined in the laboratory. The latter have been taken as basic input parameters for coupled THM numerical model calculations aimed at determining a parameter configuration, that fits best to all the measurements.