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Hydrologic modeling of vertical and lateral movement of partially saturated fluid flow near a fault zone at Yucca mountain

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:60490

Distribution of fluid flow is governed by the balance between gravity and capillary forces. The objective of this work is to assess fluid flow in the partially saturated, fractured, porous tuff formations at Yucca Mountain. The effects of eastern tilting of the units at Yucca Mountain on fluid flow has been studied using two-dimensional models. Ghost Dance Fault has been modeled as a seepage face. Under the expected flux conditions, saturation increased just to the west of the fault, but the water did not enter the fault. Tuff matrix and fracture data have been compared to the limited model parameters of the fault; and correlations between saturated conductivity and unsaturated parameters for tuff matrix, fracture, and fault are discussed. 26 refs., 33 figs., 5 tabs.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States); Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
60490
Report Number(s):
SAND--87-7070; ON: DE89000667
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English