MICRO- TO MACRO-SCALE MODELING OF MULTI-PHYSICS IN FRACTURED ROCKS

This talk presents numerical models and results for multi-physical analyses to address the distinct geometric and physical features of fractures from micro to macro scales. Different geometric representations of fractures are used for each scale, and physical laws are applied as appropriate. Our model overcomes the computational challenges associated with intersections and shearing and the contact dynamics along rough fracture surfaces, interfaces, and corners at the discontinuum scales. We have conducted simulations to analyze how networks of discrete fractures respond to coupled hydro-mechanical (HM) processes such as loading and injection. Further, we investigate how single fractures with realistic asperity geometries are altered due to compaction, shearing, and pressure solution. We analyze how geometric and physical abnormal features (e.g., sharp corners, deformation zones) control the subsequent chemical-mineralogical transformation (diagenetic) processes of granular geosystems. These examples show that it is important to properly address the complex geometry and multi-physics of fractures to understand and control the evolving surface and subsurface geosystems.