Variational inequalities for modeling flow in heterogeneous porous media with entry pressure

One of the driving forces in porous media flow is the capillary pressure. In standard models, it is given depending on the saturation. However, recent experiments have shown disagreement between measurements and numerical solutions using such simple models. Hence, we consider in this paper two extensions to standard capillary pressure relationships. Firstly, to correct the nonphysical behavior, we use a recently established saturation-dependent retardation term. Secondly, in the case of heterogeneous porous media, we apply a model with a capillary threshold pressure that controls the penetration process. Mathematically, we rewrite this model as inequality constraint at the interfaces, which allows discontinuities in the saturation and pressure. For the standard model, often finite-volume schemes resulting in a nonlinear system for the saturation are applied. To handle the enhanced model at the interfaces correctly, we apply a mortar discretization method on nonmatching meshes. Introducing the flux as a new variable allows us to solve the inequality constraint efficiently. This method can be applied to both the standard and the enhanced capillary model. As nonlinear solver, we use an active set strategy combined with a Newton method. Several numerical examples demonstrate the efficiency and flexibility of the new algorithm in 2D and 3D and show the influence of the retardation term. This work was supported in part by IRTG NUPUS.     

Upscaling of Navier–Stokes equations in porous media: Theoretical, numerical and experimental approach

The accurate estimation of hydraulic conductivity is important for many geotechnical engineering applications, as the presence of fluids affects all aspects of soil behaviour, including its strength. Darcy’s law is the key experimental (or phenomenological) equation employed to model ground water flow. Yet, this phenomenological equation can be linked to a more fundamental microscale model of flow through the pore spaces of the porous material. This paper provides an experimental verification of the relationships between Darcy’s law (macroscale) and the Navier–Stokes equations (microscale) for actual complex pore geometries of a granular material. The pore geometries are experimentally obtained through state-of-the-art X-ray computer assisted micro-tomography. From the numerical modelling of the microscale flow based on actual pore geometries, it is possible to quantify and visualize the development of pore-scale fluid preferential flow-paths through the porous material, and to assess the importance of pore connectivity in soil transport properties.     

Hierarchical Annealing for Synthesis of Binary Images

This paper introduces a hierarchical annealing algorithm which addresses the very large computational costs associated with simulated annealing for the synthesis of binary images. In real-world examples, the large configuration space of such models has led to the disappointing performance of annealing approaches. Our method essentially approaches different natural scales in the image separately and in a hierarchical manner. We demonstrate orders-of-magnitude improvement compared to existing results, and discuss the inherent computational difficulties encountered with these types of approaches.     

Sensitivity of incipient particle motion to fluid flow penetration depth within a packed bed

A discrete element method is applied to a three‐dimensional analysis related to sediment entrainment on a micro‐scale. Sediment entrainment is the process by which a fluid medium accelerates particles from rest and advects them upward until they are either transported as bedload or suspended by the flow. Modelling of the entrainment process is a critically important aspect for studies of erosion, pollutant resuspension and transport, and formation of bedforms in environmental flows. Previous discrete element method studies of sediment entrainment have assumed the flow within the particle bed to be negligible and have only allowed for the motion of the topmost particles. At the same time, micro‐scale experimental studies indicate that there is a small slip of the fluid flow at the top of the bed, indicating the presence of non‐vanishing fluid velocity within the topmost bed layers. The current study demonstrates that the onset of particle incipient motion, which immediately precedes particle entrainment, is highly sensitive to this small fluid flow within the topmost bed layers. Using an exponential decay profile for the inner‐bed fluid flow, the discrete element method calculations are repeated with different fluid penetration depths within the bed for several small particle Reynolds numbers. For cases with slip velocity corresponding to that observed in previous experiments with natural sediment, the predicted particle velocity is found to be a few percent of the fluid velocity at the top of the viscous wall layer, which is a reasonable range of velocities for observation of incipient particle motion. This method for prescribing the fluid flow within the particle bed allows for the current discrete element method to be extended in future studies to the analysis of sediment entrainment under the influence of events such as turbulent bursting. Additionally, predictions for the slip velocities and fluid flow profile within the bed suggest the need for further experimental studies to provide the data necessary for additional improvement of the discrete element method models.     

与图像内容相关的色域映射算法研究

通过对经典色域映射算法的调查分析,总结归纳了映射执行中影响图像质量的各个相关因素,在分析其影响权重的基础上建立了一个最佳的映射模型,设计实现了一个与图像内容相关的色域映射算法。测试实验验证,新算法优于ICC推荐的HPMINDE和SGCK算法,确保转换图像的视觉效果最佳。     

复杂介质有限元法2.5维可控源音频大地电磁法数值模拟

利用有限元2.5维可控源音频大地电磁法（简称CSAMT）数值模拟方法,对100Ωm均匀半空间介质中有限长度的电偶极源产生的电场、磁场及视电阻率、相位特征进行了数值模拟,研究了场的空间变化规律. 在一个象限中,场的特征存在双叶现象,当收发距大于4个趋肤深度时,电阻率较接近介质真实的电阻率,这些结果为观测系统和收发距的选择提供了依据. 波数域场的特征表明,低波数对源的贡献占较大的比例. 有限元法2.5维CSAMT数值模拟的优势在于能较准确地获得复杂介质结构的波场特征. 本文结合直立异常体、倾斜异常体及断陷模型对CSAMT电阻率、相位剖面特征及频率曲线特征的可靠性进行了研究. 数值模拟结果直观地给出了异常体的剖面异常形态. 通过对比研究异常体的剖面异常形态和半空间场的特征进一步说明本文方法和软件在模拟复杂介质结构场特征时是可靠的. 这为认识观测数据,指导反演解释提供了较好的依据.     

TI介质双参数速度分析

TI介质是常见的介质类型．当道集的排列长度远大于勘探目的层的深度时,P波走时资料包含的信息可以用来确定TI介质的各向异性参数．TI介质的CMP道集中,速度随炮检距而变化,可以从这种变化中求出Vnmo和η。通过模型试验说明,从TI介质P波资料的CMP道集求取Vnmo和η的方法是可取的．     

Development of a discontinuous approach for modeling fluid flow in heterogeneous media using the numerical manifold method

In the numerical modeling of fluid flow in heterogeneous geological media, large material contrasts associated with complexly intersected material interfaces are challenging, not only related to mesh discretization but also for the accurate realization of the corresponding boundary constraints. To address these challenges, we developed a discontinuous approach for modeling fluid flow in heterogeneous media using the numerical manifold method (NMM) and the Lagrange multiplier method (LMM) for modeling boundary constraints. The advantages of NMM include meshing efficiency with fixed mathematical grids (covers), the convenience of increasing the approximation precision, and the high integration precision provided by simplex integration. In this discontinuous approach, the elements intersected by material interfaces are divided into different elements and linked together using the LMM. We derive and compare different forms of LMMs and arrive at a new LMM that is efficient in terms of not requiring additional Lagrange multiplier topology, yet stringently derived by physical principles, and accurate in numerical performance. To demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the NMM with the developed LMM for boundary constraints, we simulate a number of verification and demonstration examples, involving a Dirichlet boundary condition and dense and intersected material interfaces. Last, we applied the developed model for modeling fluid flow in heterogeneous media with several material zones containing a fault and an opening. We show that the developed discontinuous approach is very suitable for modeling fluid flow in strongly heterogeneous media with good accuracy for large material contrasts, complex Dirichlet boundary conditions, or complexly intersected material interfaces. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analytical solutions of a finite two‐dimensional fluid‐saturated poroelastic medium with compressible constituents

An analytical solution is proposed for transient flow and deformation coupling of a fluid‐saturated poroelastic medium within a finite two‐dimensional (2‐D) rectangular domain. In this study, the porous medium is assumed to be isotropic, homogeneous, and compressible. In addition, the point sink can be located at an arbitrary position in the porous medium. The fluid–solid interaction in porous media is governed by the general Biot's consolidation theory. The method of integral transforms is applied in the analytical formulation of closed‐form solutions. The proposed analytical solution is then verified against both exact and numerical results. The analytical solution is first simplified and validated by comparison with an existing exact solution for the uncoupled problem. Then, a case study for pumping from a confined aquifer is performed. The consistency between the numerical solution and the analytical solution confirms the accuracy and reliability of the analytical solution presented in this paper. The proposed analytical solution can help us to obtain in‐depth insights into time‐dependent mechanical behavior due to fluid withdrawal within finite 2‐D porous media. Moreover, it can also be of great significance to calibrate numerical solutions in plane strain poroelasticity and to formulate relevant industry norms and standards. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stochastic representation for anisotropic permeability tensor random fields

In this paper, we introduce a novel stochastic model for the permeability tensor associated with stationary random porous media. In the light of recent works on mesoscale modeling of permeability, we first discuss the physical interpretation of the permeability tensor randomness. Subsequently, we propose a nonparametric prior probabilistic model for non‐Gaussian permeability tensor random fields, making use of the information theory and a maximum entropy procedure, and provide a physical interpretation of the model parameters. Finally, we demonstrate the capability of the considered class of random fields to generate higher levels of statistical fluctuations for selected stochastic principal permeabilities. This unique flexibility offered by the parameterization of the model opens up many new possibilities for both forward simulations (e.g. for uncertainty propagation in predictive simulations) and stochastic inverse problem solving. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.