Flow of Cavity Gas Along Fractures, Cable Bundles, and Grouted Cables

摘要

Analytical and numerical solutions are presented for gas flow along isolated fractures in permeable media. Two different cases are considered: preexisting fractures with a uniform aperture, as well as hydraulically-driven fractures with a variable aperture which is proportional to the local overpressure (local fluid pressure less confining stress). Results for these two geometries are compared with one another and with results for wedge-shaped and penny-shaped fracture geometries. Application to underground nuclear testing is illustrated by a number of examples including: flow along shock-induced and hydraulically-induced fractures, seepage along single electrical cables surrounded by grout, and flow along a bundle of electrical cables surrounded by granular stemming material. 15 refs., 13 figs. (ERA citation 11:020852)