Expected dose for the seismic scenario classes in the 2008 performance assessment for the proposed high-level radioactive waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

• Published in: Reliability engineering & system safety 2014-02, Vol.122, p.380-398
• Main Authors: Helton, J.C., Gross, M.G., Hansen, C.W., Sallaberry, C.J., Sevougian, S.D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aleatory uncertainty; Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Decision theory. Utility theory; Epistemic uncertainty; Exact sciences and technology; Expected dose; Geotechnics; Operational research and scientific management; Operational research. Management science; Pollution; Radioactive waste disposal; Radioactive wastes; Seismic fault displacement scenario class; Seismic ground motion scenario class; Structure-soil interaction; Uncertainty analysis; Wastes; Yucca Mountain
• ISSN: 0951-8320; 1879-0836
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ress.2013.06.015

Extensive work has been carried out by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in the development of a proposed geologic repository at Yucca Mountain (YM), Nevada, for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste. In support of this development and an associated license application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the DOE completed an extensive performance assessment (PA) for the proposed YM repository in 2008. This presentation describes the determination of expected dose to the reasonably maximally exposed individual (RMEI) specified in the NRC regulations for the YM repository for the seismic ground motion scenario class and the seismic fault displacement scenario class in the 2008 YM PA. The following topics are addressed: (i) definition of the seismic scenario classes and the determination of dose and expected dose to the RMEI, (ii) properties of the seismic ground motion scenario class, (iii) expected dose and uncertainty in expected dose to the RMEI for the seismic ground motion scenario class from 0 to 20,000yr, (iv) expected dose and uncertainty in expected dose to the RMEI for the seismic ground motion scenario class from 0 to 106yr, (v) properties of the seismic fault displacement scenario class including expected dose and uncertainty in expected dose to the RMEI from 0 to 20,000yr and 0 to 106yr, (vi) expected dose and uncertainty in expected dose to the RMEI for the combined ground motion and seismic fault displacement scenario class, and (vii) probabilities associated with seismic scenario classes. The present article is part of a special issue of Reliability Engineering and System Safety devoted to the 2008 YM PA; additional articles in the issue describe other aspects of the 2008 YM PA. •Properties of the seismic ground motion and seismic fault displacement scenario classes are described.•Determination of dose, expected dose and expected (mean) dose to the reasonably maximally exposed individual (RMEI) is described.•Uncertainty in dose and expected dose to the RMEI is described.•Expected (mean) doses to the RMEI from individual radionuclides and all radionuclides collectively are described.•Uncertainty in the occurrence of seismic scenario classes is described.