Topology, connectivity and percolation in fracture networks
Topology, connectivity and percolation in fracture networks
The connectivity of a fracture network depends on both its geometry and topology, which may be characterized in terms of the types of nodes and branches in the system. A number of dimensionless parameters (dimensionless intensity (P22, B22), connections per line (CL) and connections per branch (CB), are used to characterize and assess network connectivity based on well-established lattice and continuum percolation models. These models result in networks with only I- and X-nodes, whereas most natural fracture networks have many Y-nodes. A simple scheme to transform IX systems into IYX systems is developed that allows the expected value of dimensionless branch intensity (B22C) at the percolation threshold to be derived for any network topology. The method is used to assess if a network is likely to be connected or not, and demonstrated by analysing the development of a network of desiccation cracks.
167-177
Sanderson, David J.
5653bc11-b905-4985-8c16-c655b2170ba9
Nixon, Casey W.
757fe329-f10f-4744-a28e-0ccc92217554
1 October 2018
Sanderson, David J.
5653bc11-b905-4985-8c16-c655b2170ba9
Nixon, Casey W.
757fe329-f10f-4744-a28e-0ccc92217554
Sanderson, David J. and Nixon, Casey W.
(2018)
Topology, connectivity and percolation in fracture networks.
Journal of Structural Geology, 115, .
(doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2018.07.011).
Abstract
The connectivity of a fracture network depends on both its geometry and topology, which may be characterized in terms of the types of nodes and branches in the system. A number of dimensionless parameters (dimensionless intensity (P22, B22), connections per line (CL) and connections per branch (CB), are used to characterize and assess network connectivity based on well-established lattice and continuum percolation models. These models result in networks with only I- and X-nodes, whereas most natural fracture networks have many Y-nodes. A simple scheme to transform IX systems into IYX systems is developed that allows the expected value of dimensionless branch intensity (B22C) at the percolation threshold to be derived for any network topology. The method is used to assess if a network is likely to be connected or not, and demonstrated by analysing the development of a network of desiccation cracks.
This record has no associated files available for download.
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 17 July 2018
e-pub ahead of print date: 29 July 2018
Published date: 1 October 2018
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 425795
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/425795
ISSN: 0191-8141
PURE UUID: 95cde36a-cc07-437b-931a-f8ae24f45f30
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 02 Nov 2018 17:30
Last modified: 18 Mar 2024 03:09
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Casey W. Nixon
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics
