Fractal and geostatistical methods for modeling of a fracture network
The modeling of fracture networks is useful for fluid flow and rock mechanics studies. About 6600 fracture traces were recorded on drifts of a uranium mine in a granite massif. The traces have an extension of 0.20-20 m. The network was studied by fractal and by geostatistical methods but can be considered neither as a fractal with a constant dimension nor a set of purely randomly located fractures. Two kinds of generalization of conventional models can still provide more flexibility for the characterization of the network: (a) a nonscaling fractal model with variable similarity dimension (for a 2-D network of traces, the dimension varying from 2 for the 10-m scale to 1 for the centimeter scale, (b) a parent-daughter model with a regionalized density; the geostatistical study allows a 3-D model to be established where: fractures are assumed to be discs; fractures are grouped in clusters or swarms; and fracturation density is regionalized (with two ranges at about 30 and 300 m). The fractal model is easy to fit and to simulate along a line, but 2-D and 3-D simulations are more difficult. The geostatistical model is more complex, but easy to simulate, even in 3-D.
- Research Organization:
- Geologiques et Minieres, Orleans (France)
- OSTI ID:
- 6437922
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8704137-
- Journal Information:
- J. Int. Assoc. Math. Geol.; (United States), Vol. 20:6; Conference: MGUS '87, Redwood City, CA, USA, 13 Apr 1987
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
58 GEOSCIENCES
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
STATISTICAL MODELS
URANIUM MINES
TECTONICS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DATA COVARIANCES
DIAGRAMS
FRACTALS
FRACTURE MECHANICS
GEOLOGIC SURVEYS
GRANITES
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
STOCHASTIC PROCESSES
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
URANIUM DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
IGNEOUS ROCKS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINES
PLUTONIC ROCKS
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SIMULATION
SURVEYS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
050100* - Nuclear Fuels- Reserves
Exploration
& Mining
580201 - Geophysics- Seismology & Tectonics- (1980-1989)