HR: 10:20h
AN: H51H-01    [PDF]
TI: Complex Dispersion in Simple Fractured Media
AU: * Kim, J
EM: jkkim@geology.ohio-state.edu
AF: The Ohio State University, Department of Geological Sciences, Columbus, OH 43210 United States
AU: Schwartz, F W
EM: frank@geology.ohio-state.edu
AF: The Ohio State University, Department of Geological Sciences, Columbus, OH 43210 United States
AU: Smith, L
EM: lsmith@eos.ubc.ca
AF: University of British Columbia, 2Department of Earth and Ocean Science, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
AU: Ibaraki, M
EM: ibaraki@geology.ohio-state.edu
AF: The Ohio State University, Department of Geological Sciences, Columbus, OH 43210 United States
AB: Complex dispersion can develop in simple networks of fractured media. Numerical studies, involving modeling flow and particle transport through networks, were conducted to understand complex dispersion in the context of more variable networks and to evaluate the scaling between dispersion and characteristics of the network. Simulation trials examined how changes to the orientation of the overall network, fracture aperture, fracture connectivity, and fracture length influenced mass transport. The grid orientation effect inherently gives rise to the complex, non-Fickian dispersion. Spreading caused by variability in aperture and connectivity produces the more familiar, elliptical pattern of spreading. In the various model trials, we created situations where either or both of these spreading mechanisms could dominate. When both grid orientation and heterogeneity effects were comparable, particle swarms took on a curious hybrid shape reflecting the outcome of two different spreading mechanisms. With sufficient heterogeneity, the grid-orientation effect was swamped and disappeared.
DE: 1829 Groundwater hydrology
DE: 1832 Groundwater transport
DE: 1848 Networks
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting