Discrete Feature Modelling at the Stripa Mine in Sweden: Significance for Hydrologic Modelling of Fractured Rock Masses

by William S. Dershowitz, Golder Associates Inc, Redmond, United States,
Peter C. Wallmann, Golder Associates Inc, Redmond, United States,
Thomas W. Doe, Golder Associates Inc, Redmond, United States,
Joel Geier, Golder Associates Inc, Redmond, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: High Level Radioactive Waste Management 1993

Abstract:

The third and final phase of the Stripa Project included a series of characterization efforts, predictions, and validations to determine the viability of discrete-fracture groundwater modelling. Discrete-fracture models simulate flowing features using realistic geometries rather than continuum equivalents. Using readily obtainable field data, discrete fracture models met a series objective validation criteria, thus demonstrating the viability of the approach. A key concern in practical discrete fracture modelling is limiting simulation to those features which control the flow. This limitation is achieved by identification of major conduits during characterization and analysis of well test data to obtain conductive fracture frequencies and properties. The results of modelling over a range of scales demonstrate that discrete features may dominate flow behavior regardless of scale, as progressively larger features become included when the scales of simulation are enlarged.

Subject Headings: Hydrologic models | Computer models | Simulation models | Mathematical models | Groundwater flow | Cracking | Scale models | Sweden | Europe

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