Influence of contact shape and distribution on fluid flow through a fracture

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Journal Title

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Volume Title

A4 Artikkeli konferenssijulkaisussa

Date

2023-10-09

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Language

en

Pages

6
1823-1828

Series

Proceedings of the ISRM 15th International Congress on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering & 72nd Geomechanics Colloquium – Challenges in Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Salzburg, Austria, October 9-14, 2023

Abstract

Fluid flow through a rough fracture can be affected by several geometrical parameters such as aperture, roughness, and contact area. Of these, eddy flow can occur around contact areas and change streamline patterns. Fluid flow behavior through a 10 cm × 10 cm square fracture was numerically analyzed with different contact shapes and distributions. The basic shape of the contact area is assumed to be square with a 1 cm2 area. The squares as contact areas through fractures were distorted with different ratios, rotations, and relocations. The total contact area and the physical aperture in all models were 25 cm2 and 1 mm, respectively. The flow rates through the fractures were computed with 5 different water pressures. The Forchheimer equation was adopted to analyze results. The calculations highlight the importance of the parameter β in the Forchheimer equation, which reflects the impact of fracture surface geometry on fluid flow.

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Keywords

fluid flow, contact area, hydraulic aperture, numerical modeling

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Citation

Torkan, M, Hosseini Khorasgani, A, Uotinen, L, Baghbanan, A & Rinne, M 2023, Influence of contact shape and distribution on fluid flow through a fracture . in Proceedings of the ISRM 15th International Congress on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering & 72nd Geomechanics Colloquium – Challenges in Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Salzburg, Austria, October 9-14, 2023 . Austrian Society for Geomechanics, pp. 1823-1828, 15th International ISRM Congress on Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering and 72nd Geomechanics Colloquium, Salzburg, Austria, 09/10/2023 .