The initial data file for the project is: Cont_002\Case04\Data\Cont_002_Case04.dat.  

 

In this case the contact tangential flow conductivity is defined to be a function of the actual contact gap. This model considers that the contact tangential conductivity is defined as:

Where is the contact normal gap and is the fluid viscosity.

 

In field scale simulations contact gaps may not be representative of the fault width because:

1) contact gap may arise as a consequence of the fault curvature and mesh size

2) at field scale fault roughness is not accurately represented and fault surfaces are rather smooth and

3) in most field scale situations there is mesh penetration instead of contact gap.

However this model may be applicable to model extensional fractures (e.g. hydraulic fracture) or problems at lab-scale or micro-scale where fracture roughness topology may be properly defined. Hence for this case the geometry, material properties and boundary conditions have been changed to lab-scale with the appropriate units (m, s, Pa).

 

The geometry and conditions are shown below. A rectangular geometry of 10 cm x 2 cm with a horizontal fracture is considered. Three cases are considered with three different contact gaps defined by modifying the corresponding geometry nodal coordinates. Note that in this case temperature flow is not considered as the focus is on the contact flow model.

 

 

Model geometry and boundary conditions.

 

 

For more information about contact mechanics see Overview of Contact in ParaGeo and for contact data definition see Contact Data.

 

 

Contact_property