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A continuum approach for modeling mass transport in fractured media
Author(s) -
Schwartz Franklin W.,
Smith Leslie
Publication year - 1988
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/wr024i008p01360
Subject(s) - anisotropy , particle (ecology) , statistical physics , mechanics , granular material , dispersion (optics) , geology , physics , geotechnical engineering , oceanography , quantum mechanics , optics
A continuum approach has been developed for modeling mass transport in fractured rocks. It involves a new application of a particle‐tracking method in which physical transport is simulated in terms of velocity and the variations in velocity. Statistics describing the particle motion come from observing the actual pattern of particle motion in a discrete subdomain. This subdomain is a small but representative piece of the much larger continuum. In effect, particle motion in the continuum is forced to mimic that in the discrete subdomain. The model successfully duplicates patterns of anisotropic dispersion predicted by de Josselin de Jong (1972) and breakthrough curves simulated with a discrete fracture model. Applications demonstrate that the de Josselin de Jong approach for estimating dispersivities for idealized networks cannot generally be applied to networks formed from sets of finite, irregularly spaced fractures. In addition, this study reinforces indications from earlier studies about the complexity of dispersion in fractured media. Factors that contribute to spreading in the major and minor principal directions change with the orientation of the network relative to the mean hydraulic gradient.