Abstract
Coupled shear–flow tests were conducted on two artificial rock fractures with natural rock fracture characteristics under constant normal loading boundary conditions. Numerical simulations using three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations taking account of the inertial effects of fluid were conducted using void space geometry models obtained from the coupled shear–flow tests. The test and numerical simulation results show that the evolution of geometric and hydraulic characteristics of rock fracture exhibit a three-stage behavior. Transmissivity of a certain void space geometry within a fracture is related to the Reynolds number of fluid flow due to the inertial effects of fluid, which can be represented by Navier–Stokes equations. The mechanical aperture is usually larger than the hydraulic aperture back-calculated from measured flow rate, and the difference between them relates strongly to the geometric characteristics of fractures. A mathematical equation is proposed to describe the relation between hydraulic aperture and mechanical aperture.
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