The rock fracture experiment with a drive control: A spatial aspect

The statistical analysis of the space–time distributions of acoustical signals emitted from the compressed samples of Westerly granite is presented. The samples were uniaxially loaded in two regimes, one of which included a feedback loop controlled by the current acoustical emission (AE) activity. The distribution of distances between newly-appeared hypocenters follows the power law with the exponent that does not depend on the mode of loading. In both regimes, a transient period of the decorrelated accumulation of damaged sites was revealed between the initial and focal stages of the fracture process. The Hurst analysis indicates a more pronounced trend to planar organization of final damage structure in the case of AE-controlled loading.     

Retention properties of flow paths in fractured rock

There is no straightforward way to extrapolate solute retention properties from typical site characterisation scales to typical scales in the performance assessment of the geological disposal of nuclear wastes. Solutes diffuse much deeper into the rock matrix under performance assessment flow conditions than under site characterisation flow conditions. The modelling approach applied in this study, associated with the Äspö Task Force, enables evaluation of the contribution of the individual immobile layers to the overall retention. This makes it possible to determine the influence of the immobile zone heterogeneity on solute retention under different flow conditions. It appears that there is a significant difference between the dominating immobile retention zones on site characterisation and performance assessment scales. Fractured rock is characterised by heterogeneity and in particular a large spread of hydraulic properties. This favours formation of the preferential flow paths by leading to a few dominating transport paths. Large hydraulic features are, on average, better hydraulic conductors than smaller ones. This causes spatial scale effects for the solute retention properties. In particular, the hydraulic properties at the early parts of flow paths are more favourable to retention than those at the later parts of the flow paths.     

Application of seepage flow models to a drainage project in fractured rock

Summary Various theoretical approaches are used to model groundwater flow in fractured rock. This paper presents the application of several approaches to the restoration of the drainage of Rofla tunnel, Grisons, Switzerland. In this tunnel it became necessary to take measures against the washing out of calcium carbonates from the tunnel lining cement, because the calcium carbonate clogged up the existing drainage tubes leading to increased rock water pressures on the inside arch of the tunnel. Drainage boreholes were drilled on a section of the tunnel and their influence on the water pressures was monitored. On the basis of the geological survey different seepage flow models were established to reproduce the measured water pressures. The models were then used to predict the future water pressures acting on the tunnel lining after restoration. Thus, the efficacy of the different drainage proposals could be predicted and therefore optimised. Finally, the accuracy of the predictions is discussed and illustrated using the measurements in the test section.     

裂隙岩体渗流概念模型研究

裂隙岩体中的渗流和传统的多孔介质渗流在机理上存在本质的差别,这种差别主要表现为裂隙岩体在各种尺度上存在的非均质性。模拟裂隙岩体渗流的主要困难在于描述这种非均质性。目前的概念模型,包括等效连续体模型、离散裂隙网络模型和混合模型使用了不同的技术来预测裂隙岩体中的渗流。这些模型基于不同的假设和概念框架,有着各自不同的优缺点。在实际应用时,应当根据研究域的具体特点和所要解决的问题的要求对其选择,此外,还讨论了单裂隙的概念模型。     

裂隙岩体非饱和渗流的分形模型

基于毛细吸持理论和Sierpinski空间的假定,建立了用分维数表示的毛细压力-有效饱和度及毛细压力-相对渗透系数关系的裂隙岩体非饱和渗流分形模型。根据Monte-Carlo模拟技术由平硐资料生成三维裂隙网络,利用盒维数方法计算裂隙岩体体积分维数。探讨了分维数与裂隙渗透率的关系。结合糯扎渡水利工程实例,将模型计算结果与Brook-Corey模型对比,结果表明相对渗透率主要受最大裂隙开度的影响,当裂隙开度范围不大时,分形模型可较好描述岩体裂隙的毛细压力与有效饱和度的关系。当裂隙开度范围较大时, ,忽略最大裂隙开度,模型可以等价于Brook-Corey模型。     

Finite element simulation of fluid flow in fractured rock media

Fluid dynamics models are used by the petroleum industry to model single- and/or multi-phase flow within fractured rock formations, in order to facilitate extraction of fluids such as oil and natural gas, and in other areas of engineering to study groundwater flow, as well as to estimate contaminant seepage and transport. In this paper, the numerical modelling software Comsol is used to simulate air and water flow through a specimen of granite with a single vertical fracture subjected to triaxial loading conditions. The intent of the model is to simulate triaxial test findings on a rock specimen with a natural fracture. Fluid flow is simulated at various confining and inlet pressures using the cubic law. Model results were in good agreement with laboratory findings. Pressure distribution along the fracture and across the specimen are as expected with a near linear pressure distribution along the length of the fracture. A drawdown effect on pressure distribution across the specimen in the vicinity of the fracture is also observed. Pressure gradient was largely uniform; however, some localised zones of high gradient along the fracture are observed.     

State of the art of modelling two-phase flow in fractured rock

 Two-phase flow in fractured rock is an important phenomenon for a range of practical problems, not the least of which is non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) contamination of groundwater. Although multiphase systems have long been studied in the petroleum field, in the hydrogeological field progress has only just reaches the point where models are being developed. Scale effect is one of the main issues of concern. Although models presented in this paper have the potential to provide useful predictions, they can only be used to investigate a variety of possible scenarios with parameters being specified in the form of distribution of values. The calibration and validation of all but the simplest of these models poses a formidable task, with great demands on hydrogeologists and geophysicists to provide adequate data. Received: 20 May 1996 · Accepted: 19 August 1996     

Numerical modelling of coupled flow and deformation in fractured rock specimens

A dual-porosity poroelastic model is extended to represent behaviour in cylindrical co-ordinates for the evaluation of flow-deformation effects in cylindrical laboratory samples incorporating a central wellbore or non-repeating axisymmetric injection on the periphery. Nine-node quadratic elements are used to represent mechanical deformation, while eight-node linear elements are used to interpolate the pressure fields, which offers significant advantages over the behaviour of other non-conforming elements. The model presented is validated against simplified analytical results, and extended to describe the behaviour of homogeneous and heterogeneous laboratory specimens subjected to controlled triaxial state of stress and injection tests. Apparent from the results is the significant influence of stress-deformation effects over system behaviour. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

壁面局部接触裂隙岩体水流-传热的一种理论模型及计算分析

核废物地质处置、地热开发、石油开采等工程领域都可能涉及稀疏裂隙岩体中的水流-传热过程。现有的裂隙岩体水流-传热理论模型和计算方法基本上都是以平行光滑壁面裂隙模型为基础的,没有考虑裂隙的壁面局部接触对水流、水-岩热交换以及岩体传热的影响。针对粗糙壁面裂隙水流过程,阐述了基于Stokes方程的Reynolds润滑方程及Hele-Shaw裂隙模型,采用MATLAB软件中的PDE工具求解,并与Walsh的等效水力开度公式进行对比;分析壁面局部接触裂隙水流-传热与填充裂隙水流-传热的相似性,提出了瞬时局部热平衡假设的适用条件,并在裂隙局部接触体传热满足Biot数条件的前提下,计算分析裂隙局部接触体与水流之间的局部热平衡时间及其影响因素;在裂隙局部接触体与水流之间满足瞬时热平衡假设的前提下,利用填充裂隙水流-传热的解析解,计算了壁面局部接触裂隙水及两侧岩石的温度分布,并分析了裂隙局部接触面积率、裂隙开度、裂隙水平均流速对岩石温度和裂隙水温度的影响特征,结果表明：（1）在设定条件下,由于裂隙局部接触体与裂隙水流之间的热交换,裂隙水流对其两侧岩石温度的影响范围随接触面积率的增大而减小,裂隙两侧岩石对裂隙水流温度的影响程度随接触面积率的增大而增大;（2）裂隙开度和裂隙水流速对岩石温度和裂隙水温度的影响方式的影响是一致的,即由于裂隙水流量随裂隙开度和裂隙水流速的增大而增大,裂隙水流对其两侧岩石温度的影响范围随裂隙开度和裂隙水流速的增大而增大,裂隙两侧岩石对裂隙水流温度的影响程度随裂隙开度和裂隙水流速的增大而减小。     

Analyzing unsaturated flow patterns in fractured rock using an integrated modeling approach

Characterizing percolation patterns in unsaturated fractured rock has posed a greater challenge to modeling investigations than comparable saturated zone studies due to the heterogeneous nature of unsaturated media and the great number of variables impacting unsaturated flow. An integrated modeling methodology has been developed for quantitatively characterizing percolation patterns in the unsaturated zone of Yucca Mountain, Nevada (USA), a proposed underground repository site for storing high-level radioactive waste. The approach integrates moisture, pneumatic, thermal, and isotopic geochemical field data into a comprehensive three-dimensional numerical model for analyses. It takes into account the coupled processes of fluid and heat flow and chemical isotopic transport in Yucca Mountain’s highly heterogeneous, unsaturated fractured tuffs. Modeling results are examined against different types of field-measured data and then used to evaluate different hydrogeological conceptualizations through analyzing flow patterns in the unsaturated zone. In particular, this model provides clearer understanding of percolation patterns and flow behavior through the unsaturated zone, both crucial issues in assessing repository performance. The integrated approach for quantifying Yucca Mountain’s flow system is demonstrated to provide a practical modeling tool for characterizing flow and transport processes in complex subsurface systems.     

裂隙延展性统计分布离散性对岩体块体化程度REV的影响

表征单元体(REV) 的存在是应用连续介质力学方法对岩体进行研究的前提,REV可以从岩体块体化程度的角度进行研究,裂隙大小及其统计分布是影响岩体块体化程度REV的重要因素。本文利用课题组自主研发的GeneralBlock 软件,建立更一般化实际化的模型,研究裂隙延展性统计分布的离散程度对岩体块体化程度REV的影响。分析时选取了最常用的裂隙延展性统计分布形式:正态分布。由于所建立的岩体结构模型是随机的,需要对每个随机裂隙模型进行多次实现。为节省计算量,当研究范围比较小时,对每种结构的每个研究范围进行9次随机实现。当研究范围足够大,达到REV大小的时候进行100次随机实现。为确定离散程度对表征单元体的影响,本文针对5个不同标准差进行了模拟分析（共建立了1 005个裂隙模型,分别进行了块体识别并计算其块体化程度B）。结果表明,裂隙延展性服从正态分布的情况下,如果其平均值一定,岩体的块体化程度随着统计分布离散程度的增加略有上升,裂隙岩体的REV值基本上由裂隙延展性统计平均值决定。     

Spatial statistics for predicting fluid flow through a single rock fracture

Steady-state laminar flow through single rock fractures is predicted in terms of spatial statistics computed from the arrangement of voids and contact areas within the fracture. Within the voids, aperture is assumed to be constant. One statistic measures how often pixels alternate from void to contact area in the rows parallel to the flow direction. Two others measure the dispersion of voids in the rows and columns of the pattern. Fractures with complexity typical of observed data are simulated. Flow through patterns with 80% voids is predicted in terms of a linear combination of the three statistics. Using an extended model involving one of the three statistics, flow through patterns with other void fractions is predicted.The author did this work at the Earth Sciences Division at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, California. It is part of a Ph.D. thesis which was submitted at Stanford University.     

Shear behaviour of fractured rock as a function of size and shear displacement

This paper presents laboratory results regarding the shear behaviour of an artificial tensile fracture generated in granite. We used a direct shear rig to test fractures of different sizes (from 100 mm to 200 mm) under various shear displacements up to 20 mm and cyclic shear stresses with constant normal stress of 10 MPa. To determine the evolution of surface damage and aperture during shear, cyclic loading was performed at designated shear displacements. These changes in the surfaces topography were measured with a laser profilometer ‘non-contact surface profile measurement system’. In addition, changes were also measured directly by using pressure-sensitive film.

The results showed that the standard deviation (SD) of the initial aperture of the sheared fracture significantly increases with both shear displacement and size, which result in an increase in the non-linearity of the closure curve (since the matedness of the fracture surfaces decreases with shear displacement). Therefore, we concluded that shear dilation is not only governed by the surfaces sliding over each other, but is also strongly influenced by the non-linearity of closure with shear displacement. Furthermore, while the shear stiffness of the fracture during the initial stage decreases with fracture size, it increases with fracture size in the residual stage. This can be attributed to the fact that only small asperities with short wavelengths were mainly damaged by shearing. Moreover the result showed that the damaged zones enlarge and localise with shear displacement, and eventually tend to form perpendicular to the shear displacement.     

深部破碎软岩巷道围岩稳定性分析及控制

针对深部破碎软岩巷道围岩稳定性控制难题,以邢东矿-980车场巷道为研究对象,采用现场调研、数值模拟、井下试验及现场观测等方法分析围岩变形破坏特征,揭示其破坏机制,针对性地提出了以高强锚杆密集支护、新型喷层结构护表、滞后注浆加固为主体的多层次锚喷网注联合支护系统,详细阐明了具体支护措施的围岩控制机制,并用数值方法分析了锚杆间距、喷层厚度对于围岩应力场和位移场的影响规律。研究表明：（1）随着锚杆间距减小（0.7 m→0.3 m）,锚杆承压拱和喷层结构的承载能力呈幂函数增长趋势,锚固区围岩压应力呈线性增长趋势,围岩变形量明显降低;（2）随着喷层厚度增大,喷层结构承载能力近似线性增长,锚固区围岩压应力亦呈增长趋势,各部位围岩位移量显著降低;（3）当喷层厚度达到200 mm时,非锚固区内围岩大部分处于压应力状态,拉应力区大幅减少。基于上述研究,结合现场地质、生产条件确定试验巷道围岩支护方案,并进行现场应用。工程实践表明,多层次锚喷网注联合支护技术可有效控制深井破碎软岩巷道围岩大变形,实现深井巷道围岩的稳定性控制。     

Characterization of preferential flow paths between boreholes in fractured rock using a nanoscale zero-valent iron tracer test

Recent advances in borehole geophysical techniques have improved characterization of cross-hole fracture flow. The direct detection of preferential flow paths in fractured rock, however, remains to be resolved. In this study, a novel approach using nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI or ‘nano-iron’) as a tracer was developed for detecting fracture flow paths directly. Generally, only a few rock fractures are permeable while most are much less permeable. A heat-pulse flowmeter can be used to detect changes in flow velocity for delineating permeable fracture zones in the borehole and providing the design basis for the tracer test. When nano-iron particles are released in an injection well, they can migrate through the connecting permeable fracture and be attracted to a magnet array when arriving in an observation well. Such an attraction of incoming iron nanoparticles by the magnet can provide quantitative information for locating the position of the tracer inlet. A series of field experiments were conducted in two wells in fractured rock at a hydrogeological research station in Taiwan, to test the cross-hole migration of the nano-iron tracer through permeable connected fractures. The fluid conductivity recorded in the observation well confirmed the arrival of the injected nano-iron slurry. All of the iron nanoparticles attracted to the magnet array in the observation well were found at the depth of a permeable fracture zone delineated by the flowmeter. This study has demonstrated that integrating the nano-iron tracer test with flowmeter measurement has the potential to characterize preferential flow paths in fractured rock.     

裂隙岩体地下水溶质运移的尺度问题

核废料的安全贮存、地下污染的预测控制等目前面临的许多重大问题要求对大尺度裂隙岩体地下水溶质运移问题进行研究,然而裂隙岩体地下水溶质运移问题的尺度效应给这项研究带来了极大的挑战.本文介绍了裂隙岩体地下水溶质运移的多尺度概念模型及其物理和数学模拟方法,并探讨了模拟尺度与观测尺度、预测尺度、裂隙介质尺度之间的关系及尺度效应的分形特征.     

多场耦合作用下岩体裂隙扩展演化关键问题研究

裂隙岩体热-水-应力（THM）耦合是目前研究的热点和难点。首先总结了裂隙岩体多场耦合的机制、模型、方法及研究内容,并通过分析裂隙对THM耦合的重要控制作用,提出了在THM耦合中考虑裂隙网络扩展演化及模拟的关键问题,同时指出了研究的3个关键点：（1）建立考虑裂隙网络演化的耦合模型;（2）裂隙扩展的数值模拟方法;（3）THM耦合及岩体变形、失稳全过程的数值模拟算法。随后通过对模拟多场耦合和裂隙扩展数值方法的归类比较,重点论述了目前适用于模拟多场耦合下裂隙扩展模拟的各种数值方法（包括有限单元法、无单元法、单位分解法、离散单元法、岩石破裂过程分析方法和数值流形方法）的优缺点,并通过对比研究,推荐采用数值流形方法（NMM）来实现对关键问题的模拟研究。最后,对研究思路和难点进行了初步探讨。     

Polyaxial stress-dependent permeability of a three-dimensional fractured rock layer

A study about the influence of polyaxial (true-triaxial) stresses on the permeability of a three-dimensional (3D) fractured rock layer is presented. The 3D fracture system is constructed by extruding a two-dimensional (2D) outcrop pattern of a limestone bed that exhibits a ladder structure consisting of a “through-going” joint set abutted by later-stage short fractures. Geomechanical behaviour of the 3D fractured rock in response to in-situ stresses is modelled by the finite-discrete element method, which can capture the deformation of matrix blocks, variation of stress fields, reactivation of pre-existing rough fractures and propagation of new cracks. A series of numerical simulations is designed to load the fractured rock using various polyaxial in-situ stresses and the stress-dependent flow properties are further calculated. The fractured layer tends to exhibit stronger flow localisation and higher equivalent permeability as the far-field stress ratio is increased and the stress field is rotated such that fractures are preferentially oriented for shearing. The shear dilation of pre-existing fractures has dominant effects on flow localisation in the system, while the propagation of new fractures has minor impacts. The role of the overburden stress suggests that the conventional 2D analysis that neglects the effect of the out-of-plane stress (perpendicular to the bedding interface) may provide indicative approximations but not fully capture the polyaxial stress-dependent fracture network behaviour. The results of this study have important implications for understanding the heterogeneous flow of geological fluids (e.g. groundwater, petroleum) in subsurface and upscaling permeability for large-scale assessments.