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Characterization of leaky faults: Study of air flow in faulted vadose zones
Author(s) -
Shan Chao,
Javandel Iraj,
Witherspoon Paul A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/1999wr900037
Subject(s) - vadose zone , geology , flow (mathematics) , matrix (chemical analysis) , permeability (electromagnetism) , radioactive waste , fault (geology) , atmospheric pressure , geotechnical engineering , petrology , mechanics , seismology , groundwater , engineering , materials science , waste management , oceanography , physics , membrane , biology , composite material , genetics
Characterization of leaky faults in vadose zones of large thickness is very important for engineering problems such as high‐level nuclear waste disposal. This paper presents analytical solutions for air flow in faulted vadose zones of large or small thicknesses. The focus is on those sites where the fault zone is more permeable than its adjacent rock matrix. On the basis of the assumptions of a two‐dimensional air flow in the matrix and a one‐dimensional air flow in the fault zone, analytical solutions are presented for a sinusoidal atmospheric pressure variation. A procedure is then provided for extending the application of the solutions to an arbitrary atmospheric pressure variation. The solutions can help determine air permeability of leaky faults in the vadose zone.