Premium
The effect of slip on the flow of fluid through a fracture
Author(s) -
Olsson William A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/92gl00197
Subject(s) - slip (aerodynamics) , volumetric flow rate , fluid dynamics , slip ratio , geology , geotechnical engineering , fracture (geology) , herschel–bulkley fluid , materials science , shear rate , shear (geology) , shear stress , slip factor , mechanics , rheology , composite material , thermodynamics , impeller , physics
To measure the changes in fluid volume flow rates through an artificial fracture undergoing slip, silicone oil was pumped through a sawcut in welded tuff in the radial flow geometry during rotary shear. The flow rates at constant normal stress and constant fluid pressure gradient were measured at different amounts of fracture slip. The fluid volume flow rate for a smooth fracture increases at first then decreases with ongoing slip. For a rougher fracture the flow rate decreases over the whole range of slip. The results have implications for fluid withdrawal from reservoirs and underground waste disposal.