Simulation of liquid and vapor movement in unsaturated fractured rock at the Apache Leap Tuff Site: Models and strategies

Technical Report · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5192464

Yeh, T C; Rasmussen, T C; Evans, D D

The physical, hydraulic and pneumatic properties of variably saturated, fractuerd tuff are currently being evaluated at the Apache Leap Tuff Site, located near Superior, Arizona. Nine inclined boreholes, the deepest of which penetrate to a depth of thirty meters, have yielded over 270 m of oriented core. Field and laboratory data with regard to matrix and fracture properties are being collected which will be used to characterize the site. A description of the characterization parameters as well as field and laboratory techniques used to collect the parameters is presented. To extend the characterization to larger scales, as well as to interpret collected data, computer simulation modeling will be performed. A review and description of available computer models is presented. Recommendations for site characterization includes the use of analytic stochastic models, equivalent porous media models, and discrete fracture network models. Such models may accurately reproduce the expected dual porosity, three-dimensional characteristics of fluid flow at the Apache Leap Tuff Site. Also, the variable saturation which exists within fractures and the matrix at the site will also be reproduced. Simulation scenarios including constant head and flux surface boundary conditions, as well as slug and cyclic surface boundary conditions are recommended. 240 refs., 11 figs.

• Research Organization: Arizona Univ., Tucson (USA). Dept. of Hydrology and Water Resources
• OSTI ID: 5192464
• Report Number(s): NUREG/CR-5097; ON: TI88900473
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580100* -- Geology & Hydrology-- (-1989)
580300 -- Mineralogy
Petrology
& Rock Mechanics-- (-1989)
ARIZONA
BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DRILL CORES
FEDERAL REGION IX
FLOW RATE
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLOGY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERMEABILITY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POROSITY
ROCK MECHANICS
SIMULATION
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
TUFF
USA
WATER