RHEA v1.0: Enabling fully coupled simulations with hydro-geomechanical heterogeneity

Abstract. Realistic modelling of tightly coupled hydro-geomechanical processes is relevant for the assessment many hydrological and geotechnical applications. Such occur in geologic formations are influenced by natural heterogeneity. Current numerical libraries offer capabilities physics couplings that have proven to be valuable fields like gas storage, rock fracturing Earth resources extraction. However, implementation verification full heterogeneity subsurface properties using high-resolution field data simulations has not been done before. We develop, verify document RHEA (Real HEterogeneity App), an open-source, fully coupled, finite-element application capable including element-resolution simulations. To extend current Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE), we added new code handles spatially distributed all properties. further propose a simple yet powerful workflow facilitate incorporation such MOOSE. then with analytical solutions one two dimensions benchmark semi-analytical problem heterogeneous systems sharp gradients. Finally, demonstrate RHEA's comprehensive example realistic With this verified open-source able include complex geology perform scalable, Our work tool assess challenging real-world may different levels complexity gradients produced contrasting