Abstract
The friction factor plays a crucial role in evaluating pressure gradient loss for water flow through fracture-matrix systems (FMS). This study presents a theoretical model for the FMS friction factor, incorporating viscous and inertial terms based on Forchheimer's law. The model considers the coupled effects of free flow, seepage flow, and roughness. The non-Darcy coefficient in the inertial term is determined by fitting 284 sets of FMS seepage test data. To validate the derived friction factor, COMSOL simulations are conducted using the coupled free and porous media flow module, considering two relative roughness values. The proposed model demonstrates higher accuracy compared to existing models and experimental data, with 101 fewer missed prediction points and a 21.4% improvement in accuracy. Additionally, this study examines fluid flow regimes and critical Reynolds numbers for various matrix porosities, permeabilities, fracture apertures, and relative roughness values. The findings reveal that FMS with low matrix permeability, high roughness, and small apertures exhibit larger friction factors and are more prone to nonlinear deviations from Darcy flow.
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