Laboratory measurement and correction of thermal properties for application to the rock mass

The requirement for quantitative thermal property data in assessing the performance of an engineered repository is identified. Experimental methods for the measurement of thermal conductivity, thermal expansivity and heat capacity are outlined and typical test results are presented for two rock-types of interest in relation to the Sellafield site. The controls on the thermal properties are discussed and a series of corrections from the rock material to the rock mass properties are presented. Finally, a correction scheme that accounts for the effect of scale is followed.