Riding the Right Wavelet: Quantifying Scale Transitions in Fractured Rocks

Elastic waves in fractured rocks under periodic compression

Background: One of the current problems in studying the mechanical properties and behavior of structurally inhomogeneous media with cracks is the characterization of acoustic wave propagation. This is especially important in Geomechanics and prognosis of earthquakes. Methods: In this work, the authors propose an approach that could simplify characterization of wave propagation in medium with cr...

Particle-tracking simulations of anomalous transport in hierarchically fractured rocks

Complex topology of fracture networks and interactions between transport processes in a fracture and the ambient un-fractured rock (matrix) combine to render modeling solute transport in fractured media a challenge. Classical approaches rely on both strong assumptions of either limited or full diffusion of solutes in the matrix and simplified fracture configurations. We analyze fracture-matrix ...

Stress Effects on Solute Transport in Fractured rocks

Evaluation of hydrodynamic dispersion parameters in fractured rocks

A numerical procedure to determine the equivalent hydrodynamic dispersion coefficients and Péclet number (Pe) of a fractured rock is presented using random walk particle tracking method. The geometrical effects of fracture system on hydrodynamic dispersion are studied. The results obtained from the proposed method agree well with those of empirical models, which are the scale-dependent hydrodyn...

Fractal Analysis of Permeability of Unsaturated Fractured Rocks

A physical conceptual model for water retention in fractured rocks is derived while taking into account the effect of pore size distribution and tortuosity of capillaries. The formula of calculating relative hydraulic conductivity of fractured rock is given based on fractal theory. It is an issue to choose an appropriate capillary pressure-saturation curve in the research of unsaturated fractur...