Fluid flow and placement of concrete vaults in the saturated or unsaturated zone

Abstract Concrete vaults may be used for the isolation of hazardous and radioactive waste from the environment subsequent to waste disposal. A series of flow simulations are performed that compare water flow rates through identical concrete vaults placed above and below the water table. Unless sited in arid locations, massive concrete vaults of low permeability are predicted to give superior hydraulic performance when placed below the water table in the saturated zone. The results of the calculations have significant implications for design and placement of concrete vaults.