The Influence of Multiple Scales in Fractured Media on Flow and Transport Properties

Explore the complex interplay of multiple scales in fractured media and their impact on flow and transport properties in this SIAM Geosciences webinar. Delve into the world of low-permeability fractured media, such as granites and shales, where fractures embedded within the rock matrix primarily control fluid flow and solute transport. Examine how the geometry of individual fractures, including size and aperture, as well as network structure, determine the fluid flow field. Investigate the challenges posed by the wide range of relevant length scales within fracture networks and their unclear influence on various flow and transport properties. Discover the application of discrete fracture network (DFN) models as a tool to study these multi-scale interactions. Learn about recent studies utilizing high-fidelity DFN models that aim to connect flow and transport attributes to physical structures of fracture networks, ranging from in-fracture aperture variability to network-scale connectivity.