Study of fractal aperture distribution and flow in fractures
This study examines the roughness profiles and aperture distributions of fractures and faults by using concepts from fractal geometry. Simple models of flow of fluid in rough fractures are also discussed. A deterministic fractal representation of the roughness profile is presented which is shown to have many distinct advantages over other numerical methods, such as information compression, uniqueness and repeatability of surface simulation, retention of statistical information, and self-similarity over many scales. Also the fractal representation enables an isotropic surface and an aperture distribution to be simulated by examining a measured profile. Saturated fluid flow in fractures is then computed using a combined Navier-Stokes and Darcy equation. 14 refs., 5 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 137677
- Report Number(s):
- LBL--28362; CONF-900406--43; ON: DE90008387
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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