Abstract
Laboratory experiments were carried out in order to study relationships among fractures' geometrical patterns, permeability and tracer movements. Tracer experiments were conducted with six artificial fracture patterns made of hexahedral acrylic blocks and arranged as natural flow systems in fractured rocks. Movements of this tracer were examined by measuring electric conductivity in fractures' intersections. Analyses of the these results reveal that the flow length and effective porosity of fractures depend on the fracture patterns, producing different permeability and tracer plume patterns. Relationship between Reynolds number and coefficient of dispersion from these experiments shows that mechanical dispersion takes place in different types of fractures, as a parallel plate. Factors controlling mass transport in fracture intersections were explained with a conceptual model of streamline and diffusion zone.
