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Hydrodynamics of groundwater flow in a fractured formation
Author(s) -
Streltsova T. D.
Publication year - 1976
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/wr012i003p00405
Subject(s) - aquifer , geology , geotechnical engineering , drawdown (hydrology) , groundwater flow , groundwater flow equation , flow (mathematics) , groundwater , aquifer test , anisotropy , mechanics , groundwater recharge , physics , quantum mechanics
Hydrodynamical aspects of groundwater flow in fractured formations and the basic hydraulic properties controlling the flow are the subject of the present consideration. A brief literature survey on studying the physical characteristics of the fractured rocks and on developing an understanding of the mechanism of fluid flow in fractured formations constitutes an introductory section. Basic definitions, relations, and assumptions given for subsequent interpretation of the flow behavior in a fissured rock then follow. Concepts of fractured, homogeneous, and heterogeneous water‐bearing formations and their response mechanism to a pressure change are considered. The general differential equations for a flow in a fractured and in a heterogeneous formation of uniform anisotropy are derived. Two types of the flow behavior, fissure flow and pore flow, are distinguished. Two drawdown equations, respectively, for a flow in a fissure space, whether void or infilled with a fine material, and for a flow in a porous space to a well discharging at a constant rate in a fractured aquifer, are given. A fractured reservoir response to a pressure change due to pumping is illustrated by the field drawdown and recovery data. A particular case of a heterogeneous formation, an aquifer‐aquitard system, is discussed, and the drawdown distribution in both aquifer and aquitard is given when account is taken of their elastic properties.