A review of research carried out in European rock laboratories Original Research Article

Research and development projects to support geological disposal options for nuclear waste have been carried out in underground research laboratories (URLs) for more than three decades and an extensive literature exists on the work carried out in these facilities. In this paper we focus on classification of URLs in terms of the particular orientation of their work programs. In addition, the evolution of URL work programs with time is overviewed with the particular aim of identifying trends in the types of experimental studies which are included.