The effect of roughness on flow in fractures was investigated using lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). Simulations were conducted for both statistically generated hypothetical fractures and a natural dolomite fracture. The effect of increasing roughness on effective hydraulic aperture, Izbash and Forchheimer parameters with increasing Reynolds number (Re) ranging from 0.01 to 500 was examined. The growth of complex flow features, such as eddies arising near the fracture surface, was directly associated with changes in surface roughness. Rapid eddy growth above Re values of 1, followed by less rapid growth at higher Re values, suggested a three-zone nonlinear model for flow in rough fractures. This three-zone model, relating effective hydraulic conductivity to Re, was also found to be appropriate for the simulation of water flow in the natural dolomite fracture. Increasing fracture roughness led to greater eddy volumes and lower effective hydraulic conductivities for the same Re values.

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effective hydraulic aperture izbash and forchheimer parameters threezone nonlinear model reynolds number lattice boltzmann method surface rough fractures of water flow eddy volumes natural dolomite re fracture roughness

Scott Briggs,Bryan W. Karney,Brent E. Sleep,.Numerical modeling of the effects of roughness on flow and eddy formation in fractures. 9 (1),.

Scott Briggs,Bryan W. Karney,Brent E. Sleep,"Numerical modeling of the effects of roughness on flow and eddy formation in fractures" 9

Scott Briggs,Bryan W. Karney,Brent E. Sleep,"Numerical modeling of the effects of roughness on flow and eddy formation in fractures"