Discrete Fracture Matrix Model Applied to the Computation of Water Flow Through the Underground Facility

Abstract

Mathematical model of groundwater flow in fractured porous media implemented in the GeRa code is presented. It uses the discrete fracture matrix approach which allows for explicit fractures approximation and couples 2D and 3D flow models in fractures and porous matrix respectively. Discretization is done using finite volume method on general conformal polyhedral grids, while 2D surface grids on fractures being the trace of 3D grid in the porous media on the fractures’ surfaces. The model is applied to assess the effect of fracture zones on groundwater flow through a projected radioactive waste deep geological disposal.