Overview of modeling of clay microstructure and interactions for prediction of waste isolation barrier performance

This thematic paper deals with the influence of clay microstructure and internal energy components on transport prediction in partly saturated swelling soils. The need to recognize compatibility between conceptual and numerical models is one of the underlying themes of the paper. The problem of soil swelling and/or swelling forces developed upon water uptake requires careful consideration in the specification of the driving forces responsible for water uptake.