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Laboratory characterization of fluid flow parameters in a porous rock containing a discrete fracture
Author(s) -
Rasmussen Todd C.
Publication year - 1995
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 - 10.1029/95gl01094
Subject(s) - porosity , fracture (geology) , hydraulic conductivity , geology , matrix (chemical analysis) , thermal diffusivity , geotechnical engineering , fluid dynamics , mineralogy , materials science , composite material , mechanics , soil science , thermodynamics , physics , soil water
A porous block of volcanic tuff with an embedded fracture was used to perform laboratory‐scale water and gas flow experiments for the purpose of obtaining unsaturated fractured rock characterization parameters. Rock matrix properties included porosity, hydraulic diffusivity and the gas‐phase diffusion coefficient. Fracture properties included apertures, transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity, and air‐entry pressure. Gas tracer experiments using argon and helium are presented for estimating fracture hydraulic conductivity, fracture apertures and rock matrix porosities.