Topological impact of constrained fracture growth

Sigmund Mongstad Hope (1) , Philippe Davy (2) , Julien Maillot (2) , Romain Le Goc (3) , Alex Hansen (3)

1 Physics NTNU - Department of Physics [Trondheim]
2 GR - Géosciences Rennes
3 Itasca Consultants

The topology of two discrete fracture network models is compared to investigate the impact of constrained fracture growth. In the Poissonian discrete fracture network model the fractures are assigned length, position and orientation independent of all other fractures, while in the mechanical discrete fracture network model the fractures grow and the growth can be limited by the presence of other fractures. The topology is found to be impacted by both the choice of model, as well as the choice of rules for the mechanical model. A significant difference is the degree mixing. In two dimensions the Poissonian model results in assortative networks, while the mechanical model results in disassortative networks. In three dimensions both models produce disassortative networks, but the disassortative mixing is strongest for the mechanical model.

Keywords: fractures; fracture networks; discrete fracture network models; network analysis; topology

Domains: Hydrology

Sigmund Mongstad Hope, Philippe Davy, Julien Maillot, Romain Le Goc, Alex Hansen. Topological impact of constrained fracture growth. Frontiers in Physics, 2015, 3, pp.Art. 75. ⟨10.3389/fphy.2015.00075⟩. ⟨insu-01200505⟩