Topological impact of constrained fracture growth

Frontiers in Physics

Hansen, Alex¹  Hope, Sigmund Mongstad²  Davy, Philippe³  Le Goc, Romain⁴  Maillot, Julien⁴ 

[1] Itasca consultants, Ecully, France;Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Physics, Trondheim, Norway;Polytec Research Institute, Haugesund, Norway;Universite de Rennes 1, Geosciences Rennes, Rennes, France

关键词: fractures;    fracture networks;    discrete fracture network models;    Network analysis;    topology;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fphy.2015.00075

学科分类：物理（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY