Author(s): Lina Neunhauserer; Annette Hemminger; Rainer Helmig
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Fracture-matrix-interaction; Upscaling concept; Effective parameters
Abstract: Fractured porous formations show vastly different properties concerning permeability and storage capacity, thus giving rise to mass exchange processes between fractures and surrounding matrix. This interaction between fracture and matrix has a certain impact on the flow and transport processes in the fractured subsurface which can be observed on each scale considered for investigation purposes. The influence of fracture-matrix-interaction has to be examined carefully when dealing with safety investigations or remediation possibilities. This paper shows some of the effects of fracture-matrix-interaction on groundwater flow and solute transport in a saturated fractured aquifer and on the parameters describing those processes with respect to different scales. A discrete model concept has been employed containing fracture network generation, mesh generation and appropriate discretization techniques. The influence of a matrix of finite porosity on the effective hydraulic conductivity tensor of a fractured system is illustrated by an example.
Year: 1999