Determining the permeability of fractured rocks based on joint mapping
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Reservoir Condition Pore-scale Imaging of Multiple Fluid Phases Using X-ray Microtomography
Published on: February 25, 2015
Faming Zhang1, Zhifang Zhou, Yongqing Huang
1Geology Department of Hohai University, No.1 Xikang Road, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangshu Province, China. famzhang@tom.com
Abstract:
A typical fractured rock mass is intersected by several sets of discontinuities, which provide the main flowpath for ground water. Due to the limitations of data obtained by conventional field measurements, it is often difficult to estimate the anisotropic permeability tensor associated with the joints existing in the rock mass. For that reason, determining permeability tensors for fractured rocks is an important topic in rock mass hydraulics. Based on field surveys, joint parameters can be analyzed by using probabilistic and statistical tools, and three-dimensional mapping of the jointed rock mass. Through analysis of a single joint's hydraulic characteristics, the principal value of the permeability tensor for the jointed rock mass can be determined by using Monte Carlo methods and the searching percolation trace method, which is developed in this paper. The study reports on practical examples demonstrating that results from the methods discussed in this paper are in agreement with those from field hydrogeological surveys and measurements.
More Related Videos
06:55Kinematic History of a Salient-recess Junction Explored through a Combined Approach of Field Data and Analog Sandbox Modeling
Published on: August 5, 2016
12:18Pore-scale Imaging and Characterization of Hydrocarbon Reservoir Rock Wettability at Subsurface Conditions Using X-ray Microtomography
Published on: October 21, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Magnetic Susceptibility and Permeability
When diamagnetic materials are placed under an external magnetic field, the moments opposite to the field are induced. Hence, the susceptibility for diamagnets has a minimal negative value of 10-5–10-6. Since...
Method of Joints
Since plane truss members are in the same plane, each joint is subjected to a coplanar and concurrent force system. To apply the method of joints, the first step is to...
Method of Joints: Problem Solving II
Porosity and Absorption of Aggregate
When all pores in an aggregate are filled with water, the aggregate is considered saturated and surface-dry. If left in dry air, water will evaporate until the aggregate...
Porosity in Cement Paste
The balance of water to cement in the mix is critical—it...
Permeability of Concrete