A Novel Apparatus for Obtaining In Situ Estimates of Anisotropism Hydraulic Conductivity in Fractured Rocks

Abstract

Abstract The transmissivity of fractured rocks is the essential data of groundwater resource assessment, groundwater pollution prediction, and the seepage controlling underground project in the consolidated rock regions. However, most of the current experimental methods only provide the macroscopic hydraulic conductivity and the cost is very high. In this paper, a new apparatus is developed to detect the anisotropy of hydraulic conductivity in fractured rocks, which is called the Fractured Rocks Slug Testing (FRST) system. The FRST system consists of image orientation recognition equipment, the slug testing equipment, and a computer and data-acquisition console. The inside view of the testing well/borehole can be obtained by the imaging equipment. The occurrence of the fractures can be detected by the electronic compass. The other parameters like the water level displacement and pressure can also be collected during testing. Moreover, an example test was conducted in the fractured consolidated rock region to verify the effectiveness of the FRST apparatus.