Year
2008
Abstract
Finland is constructing an underground rock characterisation facility, known as Onkalo at Olkiluoto, Eurajoki. This is the initial phase towards the first geological repository for final disposal of spent nuclear fuel. Underground construction work started in 2004. In July 2007, the length of the access tunnel was 2194m, reaching a depth of 207m. Geological repositories introduce major technical challenges for nuclear safeguards. Both the IAEA and DG-TREN are looking into new methodologies and technologies to assist them in future Safeguards. Within the framework of collaboration between the JRC, European Commission's Research Centre and STUK, Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, it was decided to make a field trial of JRC's 3D Reconstruction and Verification laser technologies to accurately model the Onkalo tunnel. The exercise aimed at sharing information and practices concerning measurement equipment and methodologies including data processing and visualisation software. The 3D model documentation provides an accurate 3D verification of the underground facility. The documentation can be relevant to detect future changes indicating the presence of undeclared rock spaces. The paper presents the details from this field modelling exercise. The exercise showed that (a) 3D laser technologies can be easily deployed to create accurate models of sites \"as-is\" and (b) it is possible to perform design verification of large underground facilities.