Research Lab

The URL is situated on the Lac du Bonnet granite batholith. The land, about 4 sq. km, is leased from the Province of Manitoba. The granite rock is representative of intrusive igneous (hard) rock found throughout the Canadian Shield and the Rocky Mountains. The close proximity to the Whiteshell Laboratories, a major R&D facility, and the presence of extensive rock outcrops on surface were factors in selecting the location of the site.

Work started at the URL in 1980 with the drilling and instrumentation of more then 180 boreholes, some over 1000 m deep. These boreholes provided access to geological information concerning the rock mass and base groundwater conditions at the site. Undisturbed conditions were monitored for a considerable period before underground construction began in 1983. Changes to the rock mass conditions were then carefully measured during construction, which was completed in 1990. Excavations are situated below the water table and construction work was fully integrated with geotechnical activities.

The URL is now in the operating phase. The specific areas of research, development, and demonstration include:

The operating phase is planned to continue until 2011.

Besides providing valuable input to the Concept Review, the URL has helped our understanding of the deep geological environment in a granite pluton (an area where there had been little previous information). The extreme variability in hydraulic characteristics of highly and moderately fractured zones have been extensively studied. Geophysics groups made use of standard and high-tech methods, such as ground penetrating radar, to develop a three-dimensional representation of the geology and structure (fracturing) of the rock mass. Data on chemical, isotropic and microbial compositions of the rocks, minerals and groundwater was used to calibrate and validate hydrogeologic models.

The geomechanical group has extensive experience in rock mechanics instrumentation and data acquisition related to measuring rock deformation and in situ stress. High rock stresses at relatively shallow depths were experienced at the URL and dealt with by applying sound geomechanical engineering principles.

During shaft sinking and subsequent level development, geotechnical activities were fully integrated with excavation and construction to provide up-to-date information concerning rock mass characteristics as headings advanced. The "observational method", a process commonly used in underground civil projects, was introduced to improve upon the design and construction process. This is an interative process that provides a continuous cycle of design, assessment and adjustment. Quality control procedures were prepared and a quality-based incentive system was implemented to ensure crews followed designs precisely.

Demonstrations carried out during excavation of tunnels on the 240 level have shown it possible to excavate long blast rounds -- exceeding 2-times the tunnel diameter. Blast designs employed controlled drilling and blasting techniques that reduce the damage to the walls to the tunnel. Rounds up to 8.7m (28ft.) in length were advanced in a single blast.

The URL plays an important role as a "showcase" for R&D, as the facilities provide an opportunity for convincing visual and hands-on demonstrations of new developments in geotechnology. Leading edge R&D has attracted international attention and collaboration. The flags of France, Hungary, Japan, Sweden, the UK, and the USA are displayed at the entrance to the site, attesting to international cooperation on experimental work.