Science and research
The main focus of the Josef URL concerns experimental scientific research, particularly into the properties of bentonites and their potential use in the future Czech DGR. The unique combination of the Josef Underground Laboratory and the surface facilities provides an attractive environment for domestic and foreign research institutions and organisations.
Opportunities to use the Josef Underground Laboratory
Organisations that cooperate with the Josef Underground Laboratory
Selected professional publications by the Josef Underground Laboratory team
If you are interested in establishing cooperation with the CEG, please contact us at: jiri.stastka@fsv.cvut.cz!
Current projects
Digitalisation and BIM in the underground complex
Accredited laboratory
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Cooperation at the international level provides an important stimulus for the development of both theoretical and practical knowledge in a number of scientific areas and forms a normal part of the everyday activities of our staff.
We have worked on research projects together with a number of European universities and institutions, e.g. the Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine Nancy, France, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain, Posiva Oy, Finland, SCK-CEN, Belgium, ANDRA, France, SINTEF Byggforsk, Norway, TU Clausthal, Germany.
Membership of, and partnerships with, international institutions strengthens the awareness of the research activities underway in the Josef URL and provides support for increased involvement in international projects.
- European Nuclear Education Network ENEN
- Training and Demonstration of Waste Disposal Technologies in Underground Research Facilities (URF Network)
- Implementing Geological Disposal – Technological Platform (IGD-TP)
ROBOTICS IN THE UNDERGROUND COMPLEX
The Robotics Underground 2024 event, attended by leading figures in the Czech construction sector, was held in June in the Josef Underground Laboratory complex. The topics discussed included automation and robotics in connection with BIM technologies. The presentation of an example of the use of a robotic hand in underground spaces in one of the rock niches was of particular interest to attendees.
DOPAS EPSP
One of the most extensive European projects conducted to date (fourteen institutions from eight European countries – the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Holland, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and Great Britain). We actively participated in the construction of four experimental plugs intended for the sealing of disposal areas in deep geological repositories. The Czech plug (EPSP – Experimental Pressure and Sealing Plug) was constructed in the Josef Underground Laboratory in the SP-59 niche in the Mokrsko-west area of the facility. In addition to FSv CTU Prague, SÚRAO (the Czech nuclear waste management organisation) and ÚJV Řež a.s. also participated in the construction of the experiment.
ACCREDITED LABORATORY
The OL 182 accredited laboratory comprises part of the testing laboratory of the Faculty of Civil Engineering (ZL1048), which is located in the Josef Underground Laboratory.
The following accredited tests are performed in the OL182:
The laboratory also performs other tests in the field of soil mechanics. Specialised testing includes:
The determination of the hydraulic conductivity of clays – the procedure is based on ČSN CEN ISO/TS 17892-11 Geotechnical investigation and testing – Laboratory tests of soils – Part 11: The determination of soil permeability at constant and variable gradients
The determination of the swelling pressure of clays (internal procedure)
