Fluid Flow, Chemical Transport and Fracture Evolution (Due to Thermoelastic Stress, and Chemical Dissolution and Precipitation) in Laser-induced Fracture Networks is Visualized

0000451Dijk不透明岩石内部发生的过程本质上很难直接测量和定量分析。 因此，它们没有得到很好的理解。 因此，现有的概念和理论模型是基于未经验证的假设和简化。 本研究的主要目标是（i）可视化和研究流体流动、化学输运和裂缝演化（由于热弹性应力，以及化学溶解和沉淀），（ii）确定现有概念和理论模型的有效性和准确性，以及（iii）应用和扩展现有的流体流动，化学运输，和裂缝演化。 为此，将开发实验技术，以在透明材料中产生激光诱导的裂缝和规定几何形状的裂缝网络，并可视化这些裂缝网络中发生的过程。 该项目具有科学和现实意义。 主要的科学效益是流体流动，化学运输和裂缝演化的实验和理论研究。 长期存在的实际问题（例如，地下水文学和岩石断裂力学）将极大地受益于这些过程的知识的增加，以及更有效和更准确的预测模型的发展。

0000451DijkThe processes occurring inside opaque rocks are inherently difficult to measure directly and analyze quantitatively. Therefore, they are not well understood. As a result, existing conceptual and theoretical models are based on unvalidated assumption and simplifications. The principal objectives of this research are (i) to visualize and study fluid flow, chemical transport and fracture evolution (due to thermoelastic stress, and chemical dissolution and precipitation) inside single fractures and fracture networks, (ii) to determine the validity and accuracy of existing conceptual and theoretical models, and (iii) to apply and extend existing predictive models for fluid flow, chemical transport, and fracture evolution. For this purpose, experimental techniques will be developed to generate laser-induced fractures and fracture networks of prescribed geometry in transparent materials, and to visualize the processes occurring in these fracture networks. The project has both scientific and practical significance. The principal scientific benefit is the experimental and theoretical investigation of fluid flow, chemical transport, and fracture evolution. Practical, long-standing problems (e.g., in subsurface hydrology and rock fracture mechanics) will benefit enormously from the increased knowledge of these processes, and the development of more valid and accurate predictive models.