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A triple-continuum approach for modeling flow and transportprocesses in fractured rock

Journal Article · · Journal of Contaminant Hydrology
OSTI ID:900690
This paper presents a triple-continuum conceptual model forsimulating flow and transport processes in fractured rock. Field datacollected from the unsaturated zone of Yucca Mountain, a repository siteof high-level nuclear waste, show a large number of small-scalefractures. The effect of these small fractures has not been considered inprevious modeling investigations within the context of a continuumapproach. A new triple-continuum model (consisting of matrix,small-fracture, and large-fracture continua) has been developed toinvestigate the effect of these small fractures. This paper derives themodel formulation and discusses the basic triple-continuum behavior offlow and transport processes under different conditions, using bothanalytical solutions and numerical approaches. The simulation resultsfrom the site-scale model of the unsaturated zone of Yucca Mountainindicate that these small fractures may have an important effect onradionuclide transport within the mountain
Research Organization:
Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley NationalLaboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Civilian Radioactive WasteManagement
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
900690
Report Number(s):
LBNL--48875
Journal Information:
Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, Journal Name: Journal of Contaminant Hydrology Journal Issue: 1-4 Vol. 73; ISSN JCOHE6; ISSN 0169-7722
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English