The modelling work performed supported the SKB conceptual model for the hydrogeology of the Äspö site. However, the use of homogeneous fracture zones are inadequate to fully describe the observed head field.

Serco Assurance has participated in the Äspö Modelling Task Force at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory (HRL) site, providing consultancy, interpretation and modelling. The purpose of the Task Force is to act as a forum for organisations supporting the Äspö HRL project to interact in the area of conceptual and numerical modelling of groundwater flow in fractured rock.

A series of detailed tasks have been defined by the modelling Task Force to enable a systematic understanding of experiments performed at Äspö. Serco Assurance's work involved detailed interpretive and predictive modelling of the Long-term Pumping Test, LPT2 using the Serco Assurance CONNECTFLOW groundwater modelling program.


NAPSAC model of the shaft excavation. Image generated using Avizier.
 
 
 
CONNECTFLOW model of the shaft excavation. Image generated using Avizier.