Three-dimensional finite-volume modelling and laboratory validation of non-Darcy flow in rough rock fractures
This study presents a systematic investigation into non-Darcy fluid flow through rough-walled rock fractures to elucidate the complex interplay between fracture geometry, surface roughness, and hydraulic conditions. The research integrates high-resolution 3D finite-volume numerical simulations, solv...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-09-01
|
| Series: | Results in Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025023333 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | This study presents a systematic investigation into non-Darcy fluid flow through rough-walled rock fractures to elucidate the complex interplay between fracture geometry, surface roughness, and hydraulic conditions. The research integrates high-resolution 3D finite-volume numerical simulations, solving the full Navier-Stokes equations, with rigorous experimental validation. Laboratory tests were performed on 3D-printed fracture models with precisely controlled roughness (Joint Roughness Coefficient, JRC), confirming the numerical model’s accuracy with flow rate deviations under 3%. The validated model was then used for a comprehensive parametric analysis. Key findings reveal that surface roughness is a dominant parameter, reducing fracture permeability by up to 60% and inducing complex flow channelization. Crucially, non-Darcy flow behavior emerges at Reynolds numbers as low as 0.86, challenging conventional Darcy-based assumptions. The analysis further quantifies departures from the cubic law, demonstrating that flow rate scales non-linearly with fracture width and length and that the strong dependence on aperture is substantially attenuated by roughness. A significant scale effect was also identified, where the influence of localized surface morphology on bulk flow diminishes as fracture size increases, becoming negligible for fractures larger than 90 mm. While inlet flow direction minimally affected the total flow rate, it significantly altered local channelization. These insights underscore the necessity of incorporating realistic surface topography and employing nonlinear models to accurately predict fluid transport in fractured media, holding significant implications for applications in geothermal energy, hydrocarbon recovery, and contaminant hydrology. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2590-1230 |