Influence of Fracture Roughness on Aperture Fracture Surface and in Fluid Flow on Coarse-Grained Marble, Experimental Results

G. Dimadis, A. Dimadi, I. Bacasis

Department of Civil Engineering, Laboratory of Technical Geology, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece.

DOI: 10.4236/gep.2014.25009                

Abstract

Wetting fluid flow through rock discontinuities influence a great number of project among others: dam construction, underground projects, CO₂ storage in underground schemes, geological disposal of radioactive wastes; Hydrocarbon storage caverns. Flow through fractures is considered to be laminar due to small aperture of the fracture walls and slow velocity. The fluid model called “Cubic law” describes the flow assuming parallel infinite plates. However, natural discontinuities on rock have roughness. In this experimental study an induced fracture on a sample of medium-grained marble was used, to determine the influence of roughness in water flow. This study is a preliminary part of research funding program for flow of CO₂ through rocks (AUTH-GEOMechanics and Environment of CO₂ geological Storage, Project No. 456,400).

Keywords

Cubic Law, Roughness, Hydraulic Aperture, Mechanical Aperture

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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