New simulation model for predicting bentonite clay swelling in nuclear waste disposal

Bentonite clay is planned to be used as a key barrier in the deep geological disposal of high-level nuclear waste. To ensure the safety of disposal, it is crucial to understand and predict the swelling behaviour of bentonite clay. The swelling property is, however, regulated by multiple structural and environmental factors. A new spring model developed at the University of Eastern Finland simulates the atomic-level interactions among the components of clay-water system, reproducing the swelling