Estimation of fracture flow considering the inhomogeneous structure of single rock fractures

Considering the safe, long-term isolation of energy byproducts, such as radioactive waste, one of the important parameters is the velocity of the groundwater flow through the void of rock masses and/or fractures. Although it is generally known that a natural rock fracture indicates a complex aperture distribution, the fracture is often ideally represented by a parallel plate model. The cubic law is applied to evaluate the hydraulic properties of fractured rock. From several previous research works, it is understood that the cubic law can be applied when the Reynolds number is less than 1.0 and that the inertia term can basically be ignored in such slow fracture flows. In this research work, two-dimensional seepage flow analyses, using the authors' proposed 2D model, in which the inertia term, the pressure term and the diffusion term are incorporated, are carried out for single fracture permeability tests under conditions which allow for the application of the cubic law. In comparing the results of the experiments with the results of the numerical simulation, the results of the simulation employing the 2D model show a good agreement with the experimental results; the 2D model can simulate the water flow in an inhomogeneous fracture more accurately than the simulation based on the local cubic law. From these simulation results, the fracture flow in an inhomogeneous structure is discussed, along with the local Reynolds number, and the resistance through the fracture geometry is considered. Consequently, under the condition of a mean Reynolds number of less than 1.0, the inertia terms do not affect the fracture flow, but the hydraulic resistance does affect the fracture flow.

► In the available range of the cubic law, the fracture flow can be measured accurately.
► In a fracture flow simulation, the 2D model is more accurate than LCL.
► A high Re can be observed in some parts of the fracture flow in the available range of the cubic law.
► The inertia terms affect the fracture flow as an increment in Re.