Upscaling fractured rock-mass

An extensive examination of the fracture network and mechanical data has been undertaken to determine models of the fracture characteristics of the three formations, the uncertainties in the parameterisation of the models, and the sensitivity of the upscaled flow properties to the underlying parameter variations. The methodology used to calculate effective hydraulic conductivity values and their sensitivity to the small-scale model is described in Blum el al. (2003). The study undertaken to obtain the effective hydraulic conductivity under different stress conditions and presented in Blum et al. (2003) revealed that the important parameters in modelling HM processes in the fractured rock mass are the fracture density, the mechanical (M) properties and the M property variations through the rock mass. 

UPSCALING THE THERMOHYDROMECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF A FRACTURED ROCK MASS USING A MODIFIED CRACK TENSOR THEORY... 

Abstract A new upscaling method has been developed using 3D numerical tools (RESOBLOK 3DEC). This method has been successfully compared with standard analytical approaches in the case of a simple fracture network. This method has been applied to determine the equivalent permeability, stiffness and Biot tensor of a real fracture rock-mass at different scales. The effects of the fracture network properties and of the state of stress on the result have been investigated. 

A new upscaling method has been proposed by INERIS to determine the equivalent hydro mechanical properties of a fractured rock-mass. This method is based on the 3D numerical simulations of the behaviour of a "sample" of fractured rock-mass submitted to different hydromechanical boundary conditions. The simulations are defined in order to determine the equivalent permeability, stiffness and Biot tensor of a fractured rock-mass. 

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