NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- A Finite Element Model of Fluid Flow in Systems of Deformable Fractured Rock.
- File
- PB261170.pdf
- Author(s)
- Hilber, H. M.; Taylor, R. L.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Washington, D.C., November 1976, 72 p.
- Identifying Number(s)
- UCSESM-76-5
- Abstract
- A two-dimensional finite element model of fluid flow in fractured rock masses is developed wherein the discontinuities are deformable and constitute the primary flow paths. The interaction between the fluid and the fracture motions as well as inertia effects are taken into account. The model permits one to simulate fractured rock systems which are at an incipient state of instability; it is possible to predict the behavior of such systems when their state of stress is changed by injection or removal of fluid. A computer program based on this theory was developed. It determines the hydrodynamic state of the fluid, the displacement, strain and stress response histories of the rock masses, the change of the kinetic and the potential energy of the rock, and the amount of energy dissipated during slip. A number of simplified problems are solved. The results confirm that the present model can be used to study the controlled release of tectonic stresses along predetermined faults through fluid injection.
- Keywords
- Fluid infiltration; Computer applications; Finite element analysis; Earthquake engineering; Dynamic response; Earthquakes; Percolation; Hydrodynamics; Rock mechanics; Rocks; Fluid flow; Fractures (Materials)