Modeling seismic responses in complex fractured media using the modified lattice spring model coupled with discrete fracture networks

Abstract

Crack microgeometry vitally influences effective elastic characteristics and sonic responses. Researchers commonly employ seismic-wave-based exploration methods to assess and interpret fracture attributes. Numerical simulation, as a promising way for this issue, still faces some challenges. With the rapid development of computers and computational techniques, discrete-based numerical approaches with desirable properties have been increasingly developed but not yet extensively applied to seismic response modeling in complex fractured media. For this purpose, we use the modified lattice spring model (LSM) coupled with discrete fracture networks (DFN) to examine the validity of emulating elastic wave propagation and scattering in naturally fractured media. By comparing the dynamic elastic moduli with the theoretical and the static ones, we validate the implementation of the scheme with input parameter optimization. Numerical results are consistent with the tendency of theoretical predictions. It shows the potential for modeling the seismic responses in complex fractured media and quantitatively investigating the correlations and differences between static and dynamic elastic moduli.