Algorithm of Coupled Normal Stress and Fluid Flow in Fractured Rock Mass by the Composite Element Method

Abstract

This paper presents a composite element algorithm of coupled normal stress and fluid flow process for fractured rock mass, developed from the composite element method (CEM). The coupled relation between the fracture flow and normal stress makes use of the “filled model”, which examines the asperities in the fracture as a layer of granular medium having high porosity and being clipped by the two parallel plates. The existence of fractures is not considered in the mesh generation, but it will be considered explicitly in the mapped composite element. The coupled normal stress and fluid flow process has been simulated by applying a cross iterative algorithm between the two fields. The proposed algorithm considers not only the flow through the fractures, but also the flow exchange between fractures and the surrounding rock blocks. In addition, it can be used for both the filled and non-filled fractures. The verification of the proposed algorithm has been conducted through the illustration of three examples by comparison with the conventional finite element method (FEM), from which the advantages and reliability of the proposed algorithm have been shown clearly.