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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
09:12
A Method for Studying the Temperature Dependence of Dynamic Fracture and Fragmentation
Published on: June 28, 2015
Fracture flow simulation using a finite-difference lattice Boltzmann method
I Kim1, W B Lindquist, W B Durham
1Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3600, USA. ibkim@ams.sunysb.edu
Summary
Numerical computations simulate single-phase flow in digitized rock fractures, comparing finite difference lattice Boltzmann method predictions with laboratory measurements for fracture permeability under simulated midcrustal pressures.
Area of Science:
- Geophysics
- Rock Mechanics
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Understanding fluid flow in rock fractures is crucial for subsurface resource management and geological storage.
- Simulating flow in complex fracture geometries presents significant computational challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To numerically compute single-phase flow through 3D digitized rock fractures.
- To compare numerical predictions of fracture permeability with laboratory measurements.
- To evaluate the efficacy of the finite difference lattice Boltzmann method for this application.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a finite difference lattice Boltzmann method to simulate Navier-Stokes flow.
- Employed digitized fracture datasets from Harcourt granite tensile fractures.
- Performed computations under varied simulated confining pressures relevant to midcrustal depths.
Main Results:
- Numerical predictions of fracture permeability were generated.
- These predictions were compared against laboratory measurements on the same fractures.
- The method demonstrated accurate resolution across fracture apertures using non-uniform grids.
Conclusions:
- The finite difference lattice Boltzmann method is suitable for simulating fluid flow in digitized rock fractures.
- Accurate permeability predictions can be achieved even with complex fracture geometries.
- This approach offers a viable alternative to traditional methods for fracture flow analysis.
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