Theoretical and experimental study on the local head loss effect of complex rock fracture networks

Research on the seepage characteristics of rock fracture networks remains a challenge in hydraulic engineering design and construction. In order to establish a theoretical model that can describe the seepage characteristics of complex fracture network, based on the equivalent seepage resistance mode...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Arabian journal of geosciences 2021-12, Vol.14 (23), Article 2593
Main Authors: Niu, Zihao, Zhu, Zhende, Liu, Cheng, Que, Xiangcheng, Xie, Xinghua
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Computational fluid dynamics
Computer applications
Design engineering
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth science
Earth Sciences
Eddy currents
Equivalence
Fluid dynamics
Fluid flow
Fractures
Hydraulic engineering
Hydrodynamics
Hydrostatic pressure
Jointed rock
Laminar flow
Mathematical models
Model testing
Networks
Original Paper
Polymethyl methacrylate
Polymethylmethacrylate
Pressure drop
Pressure effects
Pressure loss
Quadrilaterals
Reynolds number
Rock masses
Rocks
Seepage
Streamlines
Water pressure
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Summary:Research on the seepage characteristics of rock fracture networks remains a challenge in hydraulic engineering design and construction. In order to establish a theoretical model that can describe the seepage characteristics of complex fracture network, based on the equivalent seepage resistance model, considering the local pressure drop loss effect at the intersection of fractures, and the equivalent local loss resistance model (E-loss model) is established. To verify the applicability of the theoretical model, two kinds of quadrilateral and hexagonal columnar jointed rock mass fracture networks are established with transparent polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) plates as test objects. Through physical model tests, the influence of the water pressure drop conditions on fracture flow is explored. The results indicate that the theoretical model suitably reflects the experimental results under laminar flow conditions at a low Reynolds number. General-purpose computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code FLUENT is applied to analyze the mesoscale flow state in the fracture network, and the internal streamline and velocity vector characteristics are obtained. The results show that with the sudden decrease of fracture width in the fracture network, there is an obvious eddy current blocking effect, which is consistent with the analysis results of the theoretical model.
ISSN:1866-7511
1866-7538
DOI:10.1007/s12517-021-08877-4