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http://dx.doi.org/10.9719/EEG.2017.50.1.61

Effects of Joint Density and Size Distribution on Hydrogeologic Characteristics of the 2-D DFN System  

Han, Jisu (Dept. of Energy Resources Engineering, Pukyong National University)
Um, Jeong-Gi (Dept. of Energy Resources Engineering, Pukyong National University)
Lee, Dahye (Dept. of Energy Resources Engineering, Pukyong National University)
Publication Information
Economic and Environmental Geology / v.50, no.1, 2017 , pp. 61-71 More about this Journal
Abstract
The effects of joint density and size distribution on the hydrogeologic characteristics of jointed rock masses are addressed through numerical experiments based on the 2-D DFN (discrete fracture network) fluid flow analysis. Using two joint sets, a total of 51 2-D joint network system were generated with various joint density and size distribution. Twelve fluid flow directions were chosen every $30^{\circ}$ starting at $0^{\circ}$, and total of 612 $20m{\times}20m$ DFN blocks were prepared to calculate the directional block conductivity. Also, the theoretical block conductivity, principal conductivity tensor and average block conductivity for each generated joint network system were determined. The directional block conductivity and chance for the equivalent continuum behavior of the 2-D DFN system were found to increase with the increase of joint density or size distribution. However, the anisotropy of block hydraulic conductivity increases with the increase of density discrepancy between the joint sets, and the chance for the equivalent continuum behavior were found to decrease. The smaller the intersection angle of the two joint sets, the more the equivalent continuum behavior were affected by the change of joint density and size distribution. Even though the intersection angle is small enough that it is difficult to have equivalent continuum behavior, the chance for anisotropic equivalent continuum behavior increases as joint density or size distribution increases.
Keywords
jointed rock mass; joint density; joint size distribution; discrete fracture network; block hydraulic conductivity;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 4  (Citation Analysis)
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