Articles scientifiques

A Discrete Fracture Network Model With Stress-Driven Nucleation: Impact on Clustering, Connectivity, and Topology

Lavoine, E.1,2, E., Davy, P.1, Darcel, C.2, & Munier, R3.

1Univ Rennes, CNRS, Géosciences Rennes, UMR 6118, Rennes, France
2Itasca Consultants SAS, Écully, France
3Terra Mobile Consultants AB, Stockholm, Sweden

Lavoine, E., E., Davy, P., Darcel, C., & Munier, R(2020). A Discrete Fracture Network Model With Stress-Driven Nucleation: Impact on Clustering, Connectivity, and Topology. Frontiers in Physics, 8(9). doi:10.3389/fphy.2020.00009.

Abstract

The realism of Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) models relies on the spatial organization of fractures, which is not issued by purely stochastic DFN models. In this study, we introduce correlations between fractures by enhancing the genetic model (UFM) of Davy et al. [1] based on simplified concepts of nucleation, growth and arrest with hierarchical rules. To do so, the nucleation of new fractures is correlated with the elastic strain energy of distortion stored in the matrix, which is a function of preexisting fractures. Discrete Fracture Networks so generated show multi-scale clustering effects with fractal dimensions below the topological dimension over a broad range of scales. The fractal dimension depends on the way one correlates the nucleation occurrence to the strain energy. Fracture clustering entails a spatial variability of the fracture density, which increases with the intensity of the coupling between stress and nucleation. The analysis of connected clusters density and of fracture intersections also highlights the differences between the UFM models and its equivalent Poisson model. We show that our stress-dependent nucleation model introduces some new fracture size-positions correlations, with small fractures tending to connect to the largest ones.

Keywords: discrete fracture networks (DFNs), nucleation, clustering, connectivity, topology

Dernières Nouvelles
  • Itasca has announced the release of FLAC2D v9 Itasca has announced the release of FLAC2D v9, revolutionizing the way we analyze and predict...
    En savoir plus
  • 6th Itasca Symposium on Applied Numerical Modeling The next Itasca Symposium will take place June 3 - 6, 2024, in Toronto, Canada....
    En savoir plus
  • Itasca International Inc. announces the Selection of its New CEO Itasca International Inc. announces the nomination of its new CEO ...
    En savoir plus

Évènements à Venir
29 oct.
Getting Started with 3DEC
Objectives of the training: Understand the 3DEC numerical approach and the types of problems it can solveKnow how to manipulate the 3DE... En savoir plus
5 nov.
Python in Itasca Software
Cette formation vous donnera toutes les clés pour être capable d’utiliser Python afin d'étendre les capacités de simulation des logicie... En savoir plus
19 nov.
Getting Started with FLAC2D/FLAC3D
This training is an introduction to continuous modeling with FLAC2D and FLAC3D. At the end of the course, participants will master the ... En savoir plus