Abstract :
A variety of different designs for high-level radioactive waste (HLW) repositories have been documented over the last decade or so. These designs are generally rather simple and were specifically aimed at demonstration of the feasibility of meeting regulatory guidelines for geological disposal. As HLW repository projects move towards implementation, even if construction will not take place for several decades, it is worth reconsidering some of the fundamental design constraints with a view to improving both the practicality of waste emplacement and the transparency of the associated safety assessments. A procedure termed ‘engineering for robustness’ is suggested and illustrated.
