Investigation of fracture-matrix interaction: Preliminary experiments in a simple system

Conference · Thu Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:138737

Foltz, S D ^[1]; Tidwell, V C; Glass, R J; Sobolik, S R ^[2]

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1. New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque, NM (United States). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
2. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Paramount to the modeling of unsaturated flow and transport through fractured porous media is a clear understanding of the processes controlling fracture-matrix interaction. As a first step toward such an understanding, two preliminary experiments have been performed to investigate the influence of matrix imbibition on water percolation through unsaturated fractures in the plane normal to the fracture. Test systems consisted of thin slabs of either tuff or an analog material cut by a single vertical fracture into which a constant fluid flux was introduced. Transient moisture content and solute concentration fields were imaged by means of x-ray absorption. Flow fields associated with the two different media were significantly different owing to differences in material properties relative to the imposed flux. Richards` equation was found to be a valid means of modeling the imbibition of water into the tuff matrix from a saturated fracture for the current experiment.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 138737
• Report Number(s): SAND--92-2670C; CONF-930408--65; ON: DE93011580
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
58 GEOSCIENCES
ABSORPTION
DIAGRAMS
FLUID FLOW
FRACTURES
GEOLOGY
GLASS
GROUND WATER
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
HYDROLOGY
HYSTERESIS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MOISTURE
POROSITY
POTASSIUM IODIDES
PUMICE
ROCKS
STAINLESS STEELS
TUFF
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
Yucca Mountain Project