A Numerical Investigation of Flow Focusing in Unsaturated Fracture Networks
Keni Zhang, Yu-Shu Wu, G. S. Bodvarsson, and Hui-Hai Liu
Contact: Keni Zhang, 510/486-7393, KZhang@lbl.gov
Research Objectives
The primary objective of this work is to develop numerical models to improve our understanding of discrete flow paths through unsaturated fracture networks. These fracture networks are modeled using fracture data collected from the Topopah Spring welded tuff unit (TSw) of Yucca Mountain, Nevada, the site of the proposed national nuclear waste repository. We try to answer the following questions: How do flow paths develop in the randomly distributed fracture network? How do rock matrix and infiltration rate (on the top boundary) influence flow patterns in the fracture networks? And finally, what is the relation between flow focusing and boundary conditions?
To continue reading more about this project, view the 1-page pdf here.
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 Simulated steady-state flux distribution in the fracture network, matrix permeability=0; infiltration rate=500 mm/year. Flux magnitude is represented by four different colors (in decreasing sequence): blue, green, red and grey. Each color represents a one-order-of-magnitude difference in flux.
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