Flow in fractured porous media

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Water Resour. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/WR013i003p00558· OSTI ID:5228635

Duguid, J O; Lee, P C.Y.

The equations governing the flow of fluid through fractured porous media are derived. These equations consist of Darcy's law for fluid flow in the primary pores, equations of motion for fluid flow in the fractures, and two continuity equations. The system of equations is coupled by the interaction of fluid in the primary pores with fluid in the fractures. The coupling terms, which are incorporated in the continuity equations, describe the transient flux of fluid out of the primary pores and into the fractures. The finite element Galerkin method is used to solve this coupled system of equations for transient flow in a confined leaky aquifer. Solutions are obtained for both constant discharge and step drawdown problems. The importance of coupling the primary blocks to the fracture system and the effect of the acceleration term in the equation of motion in the fractures are studied by using this model.

• Research Organization: Princeton Univ., NJ
• OSTI ID: 5228635
• Journal Information: Water Resour. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Water Resour. Res.; (United States) Vol. 13:3; ISSN WRERA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
422000* -- Engineering-- Mining & Underground Engineering-- (1980-)
ANISOTROPY
AQUIFERS
DARCY LAW
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS OF MOTION
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
FLUID FLOW
GEOLOGIC FISSURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
ISOTROPY
MATERIALS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PERMEABILITY
POROSITY
POROUS MATERIALS
PRESSURE GRADIENTS
SOLIDS