Aspectos geológicos e geotécnicos dos armazenamentos subterrâneos

Abstract

Underground disposal of industrial or nuclear wastes and storage for consuming products, is nowadays a realistic alternative when compared to an instalation above the ground.

Nevertheless, geology is a determining factor in viability and location of these underground facilities, a.s they are only possible in a restrict range of specific geological situations.

Based on two examples, the construction of escavated unlined caverns for petroleum products and of large oppenings by solution in salt, this paper pay atention to the specific and stringent geological conditions required by these underground facilites.

Taking into account these specific requirements and the geological setting of Portugal, some general considerations are made about our potencial underground space for such facilities.