A computational model for fracturing porous media |
| |
| Authors: | R. Al‐Khoury L. J. Sluys |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, 2600 GA Delft, The NetherlandsFaculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands;2. Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands |
| |
| Abstract: | This paper presents a new computational model for simulating a fracturing process in a porous medium using the finite element method. Two independent numerical techniques are used for describing this process. The partition of unity method is used for describing the fracturing process, and the double porosity model is used for describing the resulting fluid flow. A key feature of the model is the coupling of these two independent numerical techniques, which provide the means for a better simulation of the involved physical and mechanical processes. The paper focuses on the numerical formulation of the model. The capability of the model is illustrated by means of numerical examples, which examine the behaviour of a 1D porous medium under different boundary conditions. The numerical results show that the very complicated physical and mechanical processes of the fracturing porous media can be simulated properly and efficiently. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
| |
| Keywords: | porous media partition of unity double porosity model |
|
|
