We provide 3D numerical simulations for hydrogeological characterization and evaluation of groundwater flow in fractured and unfractured geologic media, using fracture-based continuum modeling (FBCM) implemented as CanFracEnv.
FBCM groundwater flow analysis is accurate, because of modeling flow through individual fractures explicitly; and efficient, because of modeling in a continuum framework. The continuum framework automates the creation and use of fracture geometry, uses encapsulation, and uses parameters stored as continuum properties.
The user input for the analysis includes domain geometry, distribution of preexisting fractures and fracture geometry, and fluid injection or withdrawal rate and duration.
FBCM offers the capability to evaluate the effects of uncertainties in fracture characteristics (such as orientation, intensity, length, and aperture): by modeling several realizations of a fracture distribution network (one realization at a time) using the same domain grid.
CanFracEnv models water flow in saturated zones and uses an innovative leakage algorithm to model saturation buildup in unsaturated zones; uses the leakage algorithm and speed of saturated flow analysis to incorporate interactions between saturated and unsaturated zones; and captures processes such as growth of saturation “fingers” through the unsaturated zone and potential “breakthrough” in an unsaturated zone to connect to a previously isolated aquifer.
We provide several examples in the publication “Using fracture-based continuum modeling of coupled geomechanical-hydrological processes for numerical simulation of hydraulic fracturing,” https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2023.07.009.
Please Contact us to request a quote.
Geological processes modeling (GPM) research Institute 