Abstract
In this study, transient fluid flow in a variably saturated fracture-rock matrix system is examined. The fracture is assumed to possess a spatially-variable aperture in its two-dimensional plane; whereas, the rock matrix is considered as a homogeneous, isotropic porous medium. Fluid interaction between the fracture and the rock matrix is accounted for via an advective coupling term that governs the transfer of fluid at the fracture-matrix interface. The effect of fracture-surface coating material on the coupling term is considered. The fluctuations of the spatially-variable aperture are assumed to be lognormally distributed and characterized by an exponential autocovariance function. The governing set of stochastic nonlinear partial differential equations is solved numerically by employing the Galerkin finite element method with linear basis functions. Furthermore, the Picard method with an automatic time stepping algorithm is employed in linearizing the governing set of equations. Results from several simulations indicate enhanced moisture transport in the fracture for the case of no fluid interaction with the rock matrix. In addition, fracture-surface coatings tend to slow down moisture absorption by the rock matrix.
| Original language | British English |
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| Pages | 363-370 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| State | Published - 1996 |
| Event | Proceedings of the 1995 3rd International Conference on Computer Methods and Water Resources, CMWR III - Beirut, Lebanon Duration: 26 Sep 1995 → 28 Sep 1995 |
Conference
| Conference | Proceedings of the 1995 3rd International Conference on Computer Methods and Water Resources, CMWR III |
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| City | Beirut, Lebanon |
| Period | 26/09/95 → 28/09/95 |