scholarly journals Determination of Fractured Rock’s Representative Elementary Volume by a Numerical Simulation Method

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 4448-4451
Author(s):  
H. Gasmi ◽  
M. Touahmia ◽  
A. Torchani ◽  
E. Hamdi ◽  
A. Boudjemline
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Simulation Method ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Homogenization Method ◽  
Representative Elementary Volume ◽  
Elementary Volume ◽  
Fractured Network ◽  
Numerical Program

The present study aims at developing a numerical program called DISSIM which can analyze the homogenization of rock massifs using a new subroutine which calculates Representative Elementary Volume (REV). The DISSIM methodology consists of two steps. The first step involves the modeling of the fractured network in order to provide a surface simulation that represents the real fracture of the examined front. The second step is to numerically model the wave propagation through the simulated fracture network while characterizing the attenuation of vibrations due to the effect of discontinuities. This part allows us to determine in particular the wave propagation velocity through the fractured mass, from which we can determine the homogenized Young's modulus. However, after extensive bibliographic research, it was realized that a third step appeared to be necessary. In fact, it is necessary to look for a representative elementary volume on which we apply the proposed homogenization method. Two types of the representative elementary volume are proposed in this article, the geometric REV and the mechanical REV. The presentation of these two types of REV and the DISSIM methodology are detailed in this paper. Then, this methodology was applied to the study of a real case. The present research provides a method allowing the calculation of both types of REV for fissured rocks. The case study yielded comparable results between the mechanical REV and the geometric REV, which is compatible with previous research studies.

scholarly journals Estimating the Effect of Fractal Dimension on Representative Elementary Volume of Randomly Distributed Rock Fracture Networks

Geofluids ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Liyuan Yu ◽  
Hongwen Jing ◽  
Richeng Liu
Keyword(s):  
Fractal Dimension ◽  
Functional Relationship ◽  
Rock Fracture ◽  
Representative Elementary Volume ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Elementary Volume ◽  
Equivalent Permeability ◽  
Length Width ◽  
Rock Fracture Networks

The effect of fractal dimension (Df) on the determination of representative elementary volume (REV) was investigated through numerical experimentations, in which a new method was adopted to extract submodels that have different length-width ratios from original discrete facture networks (DFNs). Fluid flow in 1610 DFNs with different geometric characteristics of fractures and length-width ratios was simulated, and the equivalent permeability was calculated. The results show that the average equivalent permeability (KREV) at the REV size for DFNs increases with the increase in Df. The KREV shows a downward trend with increasing length-width ratio of the submodel. A strong exponent functional relationship is found between the REV size and Df. The REV size decreases with increasing Df. With the increment of the length-width ratio of submodels, the REV size shows a decreasing trend. The effects of length-width ratio and Df on the REV size can be negligible when Df≥1.5, but are significant when Df<1.5.

scholarly journals Determination of representative elementary volume (REV) for jointed rock masses exhibiting scale-dependent behavior: A numerical investigation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Sari
Keyword(s):  
Jointed Rock ◽  
Representative Elementary Volume ◽  
Elementary Volume ◽  
Rock Masses ◽  
Continuum Approach ◽  
Joint Spacing ◽  
Jointed Rock Masses ◽  
Equivalent Continuum ◽  
Equivalent Continuum Approach

Abstract Representative elementary volume (REV) is defined as the usual size of a rock mass structure beyond which its mechanical properties are homogenous and isotropic, and its behavior can be modeled using the equivalent continuum approach. Determination of REV is a complex problem in rock engineering due to its definition ambiguity and application area. This study is one of the first attempts to define a REV for jointed rock masses using the equivalent continuum approach. It is aimed to numerically search a ratio between the characteristic size of an engineering structure and pre-existing joint spacing, which are the two most important contributing elements in assessing REV. For this purpose, four hypothetical engineering cases were investigated using the RS2 (Phase2 v. 9.0) finite element (FE) analysis program. An underground circular opening with a constant diameter, an open-pit mine with varying bench heights, a single bench with a constant height, and an underground powerhouse cavern with a known dimension were executed for possible changes in the safety factor and total displacement measurements under several joint spacing values. Different cut-off REVs were calculated for FE models depending on the type of excavation and measurement method. An average REV size of 19.0, ranging between a minimum of 2 for tunnels and a maximum of 48 for slopes, was found in numerical analysis. The calculated sizes of REV were significantly larger than the range of values (5 to 10) commonly reported in the relevant geotechnical literature.

Interpretation of fractured zones using seismic attributes — Case study from Teapot Dome, Wyoming, USA

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. T249-T260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Schneider ◽  
Christoph Georg Eichkitz ◽  
Marcellus Gregor Schreilechner ◽  
John C. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Network ◽  
Seismic Attributes ◽  
Seismic Attribute ◽  
Teapot Dome ◽  
Attribute Analysis ◽  
Discrete Fracture ◽  
Textural Attributes ◽  
Occurrence Matrix

We have used poststack seismic attributes to describe the fracture network of the naturally fractured Tensleep Formation at Teapot Dome, Wyoming, USA. The attributes include coherence, coherence based on spectral decomposed seismic data, attributes based on curvature, and textural attributes based on the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM). Results were compared with image log interpretations of four wells. Seismic attribute analysis allowed determination of strikes and dips as well as the intensity of fractures. The GLCM-based attributes proved especially valuable for building a discrete fracture network.

scholarly journals Determination of the Representative Elementary Volume for the study of sandstones and siltstones by X-Ray microtomography

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 662-670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaquiel Salvi Fernandes ◽  
Carlos Roberto Appoloni ◽  
Celso Peres Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Representative Elementary Volume ◽  
Elementary Volume ◽  
X Ray

scholarly journals Determination of representative elementary volume (REV) for jointed rock masses exhibiting scale-dependent behavior: a numerical investigation

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Sari
Keyword(s):  
Jointed Rock ◽  
Representative Elementary Volume ◽  
Elementary Volume ◽  
Rock Masses ◽  
Continuum Approach ◽  
Joint Spacing ◽  
Jointed Rock Masses ◽  
Equivalent Continuum ◽  
Equivalent Continuum Approach

AbstractRepresentative elementary volume (REV) is defined as the usual size of a rock mass structure beyond which its mechanical properties are homogenous and isotropic, and its behavior can be modeled using the equivalent continuum approach. Determination of REV is a complex problem in rock engineering due to its definition ambiguity and application area. This study is one of the first attempts to define a REV for jointed rock masses using the equivalent continuum approach. It is aimed to numerically search a ratio between the characteristic size of an engineering structure and pre-existing joint spacing, which are the two most important contributing elements in assessing REV. For this purpose, four hypothetical engineering cases were investigated using the RS2 (Phase2 v. 9.0) finite element (FE) analysis program. An underground circular opening with a constant diameter, an open-pit mine with varying bench heights, a single bench with a constant height, and an underground powerhouse cavern with a known dimension were executed for possible changes in the safety factor and total displacement measurements under several joint spacing values. Different cut-off REVs were calculated for FE models depending on the type of excavation and measurement method. An average REV size of 19.0, ranging between a minimum of 2 for tunnels and a maximum of 48 for slopes, was found in numerical analysis. The calculated sizes of REV were significantly larger than the range of values (5 to 10) commonly reported in the relevant geotechnical literature.

A method for evaluating the representative elementary volume based on joint survey of rock masses

1988 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 440-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masanobu Oda
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Rock Mass ◽  
Site Investigation ◽  
Representative Elementary Volume ◽  
Minimum Volume ◽  
Elementary Volume ◽  
Joint Traces ◽  
Typical Length ◽  
General Method

The representative elementary volume of a statistically homogeneous rock mass is defined as the minimum volume beyond which any submass behaves essentially like the whole rock mass. A simple, but still general, method for the determination of the minimum volume is given on the basis of the crack tensor concept; it is concluded that the size must be at least three times larger than a typical length of joint traces. Key words: computer simulation, rock hydraulics, site investigation.

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