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Determining the Permeability of Fractured Rocks Based on Joint Mapping
Author(s) -
Zhang Faming,
Zhou Zhifang,
Huang Yongqing,
Chen Zuyu
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
groundwater
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1745-6584
pISSN - 0017-467X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6584.2004.tb02619.x
Subject(s) - rock mass classification , classification of discontinuities , geology , permeability (electromagnetism) , hydrogeology , joint (building) , anisotropy , monte carlo method , geotechnical engineering , engineering , mathematics , statistics , mathematical analysis , physics , quantum mechanics , membrane , biology , genetics , architectural engineering
A typical fractured rock mass is intersected by several sets of discontinuities, which provide the main flowpath for ground water. Due to the limitations of data obtained by conventional field measurements, it is often difficult to estimate the anisotropic permeability tensor associated with the joints existing in the rock mass. For that reason, determining permeability tensors for fractured rocks is an important topic in rock mass hydraulics. Based on field surveys, joint parameters can be analyzed by using probabilistic and statistical tools, and three‐dimensional mapping of the jointed rock mass. Through analysis of a single joint's hydraulic characteristics, the principal value of the permeability tensor for the jointed rock mass can be determined by using Monte Carlo methods and the searching percolation trace method, which is developed in this paper. The study reports on practical examples demonstrating that results from the methods discussed in this paper are in agreement with those from field hydrogeological surveys and measurements.