An integrated finite/discrete element method – discrete fracture network synthetic rock mass approach for the modelling of surface subsidence associated with panel cave mining at the Cadia East underground project

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Elmo ◽  
Stephen Rogers ◽  
Richard Beddoes ◽  
Alex Catalan
Keyword(s):  
Rock Mass ◽  
Discrete Element Method ◽  
Discrete Element ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Surface Subsidence ◽  
Discrete Fracture Network ◽  
Synthetic Rock Mass ◽  
Synthetic Rock ◽  
Discrete Fracture ◽  
Element Method

scholarly journals Modelling the variation in the behaviour of pre-fractured rocks subjected to hydraulic fracturing with permeability of the rock matrix using finite-discrete element method

2020 ◽  
Vol 205 ◽  
pp. 08001
Author(s):  
Shahrzad Roshankhah ◽  
Arman K. Nejad ◽  
Orlando Teran ◽  
Kami Mohammadi
Keyword(s):  
Rock Mass ◽  
Finite Elements ◽  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Discrete Element Method ◽  
Fractured Rocks ◽  
Discrete Element ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Rock Matrix ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Element Method

In this study, we present the results of two-dimensional numerical simulations for the effects of rock matrix permeability on the behaviour of hydraulic fractures in intact and pre-fractured rocks. The simulations are performed using the Finite-Discrete Element Method (FDEM). In this method, the deformation and fluid pressure fields within the porous rock blocks, pre-existing fracture network, and hydraulically induced fractures are calculated through a fully coupled hydromechanical scheme. Furthermore, new fractures can initiate in crack elements located between each pair of finite elements and can propagate in any path that the boundary and loading conditions require according to non-linear fracture mechanics criteria. Fluid channels are also defined between pairs of finite elements simulating the inter-connected flow paths through porous media. Four models of the rock mass are created in this study: (i) homogeneous-impermeable, (ii) homogeneous-permeable, (iii) heterogeneous-impermeable matrix, and (iv) heterogeneous-permeable matrix. Heterogeneous rock masses contain a discrete fracture network (natural fractures) in the rock mass structure. Hydraulic fracturing is modelled in domains of 40×40 m2 with the four different structures and mass transport capacities, and the results are compared to each other. The results highlight the significant effect of diffusive fluid flow through rock blocks, in addition to the flow through fracture network, on the global hydromechanical behaviour of the rock mass. These results help to understand the governing hydromechanical processes taking place in fractured rocks with matrix of different permeability, such as granites, shales, carbonate rocks, and sandstones and the extent of complexities required to model their behaviour to achieve reasonable accuracy.

Construction of 3D Discrete Fracture Network Model using Structural and Hydrogeological Data

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammadreza Jalali ◽  
Zhen Fang ◽  
Pooya Hamdi
Keyword(s):  
Rock Mass ◽  
Network Model ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Crystalline Rock ◽  
Discrete Fracture Network ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Discrete Fracture ◽  
Dfn Model ◽  
Hydrogeological Data

<p>The presence of fractures and discontinuities in the intact rock affects the hydraulic, thermal, chemical and mechanical behavior of the underground structures. Various techniques have been developed to provide information on the spatial distribution of these complex features. LIDAR, for instance, could provide a 2D fracture network model of the outcrop, Geophysical borehole logs such as OPTV and ATV can be used to investigate 1D geometrical data (i.e. dip and dip direction, aperture) of the intersected fractures, and seismic survey can mainly offer a large structure distribution of the deep structures. The ability to combine all the existing data collected from various resources and different scales to construct a 3D discrete fracture network (DFN) model of the rock mass allows to adequately represent the physical behavior of the interested subsurface structure.</p><p>In this study, an effort on the construction of such a 3D DFN model is carried out via combination of various structural and hydrogeological data collected in fractured crystalline rock. During the pre-characterization phase of the In-situ Stimulation and Circulation (ISC) experiment [Amann et al., 2018] at the Grimsel Test Site (GTS) in central Switzerland, a comprehensive characterization campaign was carried out to better understand the hydromechanical characteristics of the existing structures. The collected multiscale and multidisciplinary data such as OPTV, ATV, hydraulic packer testing and solute tracer tests [Jalali et al., 2018; Krietsch et al., 2018] are combined, analyzed and interpreted to form a combined stochastic and deterministic DFN model using the FracMan software [Golder Associates, 2017]. For further validation of the model, the results from in-situ hydraulic tests are used to compare the simulated and measured hydraulic responses, allowing to evaluate whether the simulated model could reasonably represent the characteristics of the fracture network in the ISC experiment.</p><p> </p><p><strong>References</strong></p><ul><li>Amann, F., Gischig, V., Evans, K., Doetsch, J., Jalali, M., Valley, B., Krietsch, H., Dutler, N., Villiger, L., Brixel, B., Klepikova, M., Kittilä, A., Madonna, C., Wiemer, S., Saar, M.O., Loew, S., Driesner, T., Maurer, H., Giardini, D., 2018. The seismo-hydromechanical behavior during deep geothermal reservoir stimulations: open questions tackled in a decameter-scale in situ stimulation experiment. Solid Earth 9, 115–137.</li> <li>Golder Associates, 2017. FracMan User Documentation.  Golder Associates Inc, Redmond WA.</li> <li>Krietsch, H., Doetsch, J., Dutler, N., Jalali, M., Gischig, V., Loew, S., Amann, F., 2018. Comprehensive geological dataset describing a crystalline rock mass for hydraulic stimulation experiments. Scientific Data 5, 180269.</li> <li>Jalali, M., Klepikova, M., Doetsch, J., Krietsch, H., Brixel, B., Dutler, N., Gischig, V., Amann, F., 2018. A Multi-Scale Approach to Identify and Characterize the Preferential Flow Paths of a Fractured Crystalline Rock. Presented at the 2<sup>nd</sup> International Discrete Fracture Network Engineering Conference, American Rock Mechanics Association.</li> </ul>

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