What is a Fracture Network?

The primary input to a network pathway A transport pathway element that provides a computationally efficient way to simulate large, complex networks of one-dimensional conduits in order to describe contaminant transport through fractured rock systems. is the fracture network A complex network of one-dimensional conduits used by a Network Pathway to describe contaminant transport through fractured rock systems.. Each Network pathway requires at least one fracture network. Very simple fracture networks can be entered by hand, but complex fracture networks would typically be generated by a discrete fracture network generation and flow simulation code.

This fracture network identifies all of the "pipes" making up the pathway, and the manner in which they are interconnected. In addition, for each pipe, it identifies:

• the geometry (length, cross-sectional area, and flow-wetted area);
• the flow rate; and
• the fracture set, which identifies the transport properties of the pipe (e.g., porous infill material, coating material, properties of matrix diffusion zones, etc.).

Finally, the fracture network identifies which of the pipes are associated with "sources" (mass flux links into the pathway) and which pipes are associated with "sinks" (mass flux links out of the pathway) and/or "watch groups" (collections of pipes within the network whose mass fluxes can be added together and monitored).