Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 651-670 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| Journal | International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids |
| Volume | 67 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Early online date | 7 Sept 2011 |
| Publication status | Published - 20 Oct 2011 |
Abstract
We introduce a new method to discretize inclined non-planar two-dimensional (2D) fractures in three-dimensional (3D) fractured media for subsurface flow and transport simulations. The 2D fractures are represented by ellipsoids. We first discretize the fractures and generate a 2D finite element mesh for each fracture. Then, the mesh of fractures is analyzed by searching and treating critical geometric configurations. Based on that search, the method generates a quality mesh and allows for including finer grids. A solute transport problem in fractured porous media is solved to test the method. The results show that the method (i) adequately represents the fractured domain by maintaining the geometric integrity of input surfaces and geologic data, (ii) provides accurate results for both simple and complex fractured domains, (iii) is insensitive to spatial discretization, and (iv) is computationally very efficient. For inclined and vertical fractures, analytical and numerical solutions are shown to be in good agreement. The method is therefore suitable to discretize fracture networks for flow and transport simulations in fractured porous media.
Keywords
- 3D discrete-fractured model, Adaptive mesh, Flow and transport, Mesh generation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Engineering(all)
- Computational Mechanics
- Engineering(all)
- Mechanics of Materials
- Engineering(all)
- Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Science(all)
- Computer Science Applications
- Mathematics(all)
- Applied Mathematics
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In: International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids, Vol. 67, No. 5, 20.10.2011, p. 651-670.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - An efficient method for discretizing 3D fractured media for subsurface flow and transport simulations
AU - Mustapha, Hussein
AU - Dimitrakopoulos, Roussos
AU - Graf, Thomas
AU - Firoozabadi, Abbas
PY - 2011/10/20
Y1 - 2011/10/20
N2 - We introduce a new method to discretize inclined non-planar two-dimensional (2D) fractures in three-dimensional (3D) fractured media for subsurface flow and transport simulations. The 2D fractures are represented by ellipsoids. We first discretize the fractures and generate a 2D finite element mesh for each fracture. Then, the mesh of fractures is analyzed by searching and treating critical geometric configurations. Based on that search, the method generates a quality mesh and allows for including finer grids. A solute transport problem in fractured porous media is solved to test the method. The results show that the method (i) adequately represents the fractured domain by maintaining the geometric integrity of input surfaces and geologic data, (ii) provides accurate results for both simple and complex fractured domains, (iii) is insensitive to spatial discretization, and (iv) is computationally very efficient. For inclined and vertical fractures, analytical and numerical solutions are shown to be in good agreement. The method is therefore suitable to discretize fracture networks for flow and transport simulations in fractured porous media.
AB - We introduce a new method to discretize inclined non-planar two-dimensional (2D) fractures in three-dimensional (3D) fractured media for subsurface flow and transport simulations. The 2D fractures are represented by ellipsoids. We first discretize the fractures and generate a 2D finite element mesh for each fracture. Then, the mesh of fractures is analyzed by searching and treating critical geometric configurations. Based on that search, the method generates a quality mesh and allows for including finer grids. A solute transport problem in fractured porous media is solved to test the method. The results show that the method (i) adequately represents the fractured domain by maintaining the geometric integrity of input surfaces and geologic data, (ii) provides accurate results for both simple and complex fractured domains, (iii) is insensitive to spatial discretization, and (iv) is computationally very efficient. For inclined and vertical fractures, analytical and numerical solutions are shown to be in good agreement. The method is therefore suitable to discretize fracture networks for flow and transport simulations in fractured porous media.
KW - 3D discrete-fractured model
KW - Adaptive mesh
KW - Flow and transport
KW - Mesh generation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79751533465&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/fld.2383
DO - 10.1002/fld.2383
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:79751533465
VL - 67
SP - 651
EP - 670
JO - International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids
JF - International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids
SN - 0271-2091
IS - 5
ER -