NDLI: Estimating regional-scale fractured bedrock hydraulic conductivity using discrete fracture network (DFN) modeling

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Voeckler, H. Allen, D. M.
Copyright Year	2012
Abstract	Estimating bedrock hydraulic conductivity of regional fractured aquifers is challenging due to a lack of aquifer testing data and the presence of small and large-scale heterogeneity. This study provides a novel approach for estimating the bedrock hydraulic conductivity of a regional-scale fractured bedrock aquifer using discrete fracture network (DFN) modeling. The methodology is tested in the mountainous Okanagan Basin, British Columbia, Canada. Discrete fractures were mapped in outcrops, and larger-scale fracture zones (corresponding to lineaments) were mapped from orthophotos and LANDSAT imagery. Outcrop fracture data were used to generate DFN models for estimating hydraulic conductivity for the fractured matrix (K $_{m}$). The mountain block hydraulic conductivity (K $_{mb}$) was estimated using larger-scale DFN models. Lineament properties were estimated by best fit parameters for a simulated pumping test influenced by a fracture zone. Unknown dip angles and directions for lineaments were estimated from the small-scale fracture sets. Simulated K $_{m}$ and K $_{mb}$ values range from 10$^{–8}$ to 10$^{–7}$ m/s and are greatest in a N–S direction, coinciding with the main strike direction of Okanagan Valley Fault Zone. K $_{mb}$ values also decrease away from the fault, consistent with the decrease in lineament density. Simulated hydraulic conductivity values compare well with those estimated from pumping tests.Estimer la conductivité d’un substrat aquifère régional fracturé est un challenge dû au manque d’essai de nappe et à la présence d’hétérogénéités à petite et grande échelles. Cette étude fournit une nouvelle approche pour estimer la conductivité hydraulique d’un substrat fracturé aquifère à l’échelle régionale en utilisant une modélisation de réseau de fractures discrètes (RFD). La méthodologie est testée dans le bassin montagneux Okanagan, Colombie Britannique, Canada. Des fractures discrètes ont été cartographiées sur affleurement et des zones fracturées à plus grande échelle (correspondant à des linéaments) ont été cartographiés par orthophotométrie et imagerie Landsat. Des données sur la fracturation à l’affleurement ont été utilisées pour générer des modèles de réseau RFD et estimer la conductivité hydraulique de la matrice fracturée (K $_{m}$). La conductivité hydraulique du bloc montagneux a été estimée en utilisant des modèles RFD à plus grande échelle. Les propriétés des linéaments ont été estimées avec les paramètres les mieux concordants pour un test de pompage simulé influencé par une zone de fractures. Les pendages et direction des linéaments ont été estimés à partir de jeux de fractures de petite extension. Les valeurs K $_{m}$ et K $_{mb}$ simulées s’échelonnent de 10$^{–8}$ à10$^{–7}$ m/s et sont maximales suivant une direction N–S, coïncidant avec la principale direction de la zone faillée de la Vallée Okanagan. Les valeurs de conductivité hydraulique simulées s’accordent bien avec celles estimées à partir des tests de pompage.Estimar la conductividad hidráulica del basamento en acuíferos regionales fracturados es un desafío debido a la falta de datos de ensayos de acuíferos y a la presencia de heterogeneidades a pequeña y gran escala. Este estudio provee un enfoque nuevo para estimar la conductividad hidráulica del basamento de un acuífero de basamento fracturado a escala regional usando el modelado de una red discreta de fracturas (DFN). Se prueba la metodología en las montañas de la cuenca de Okanagan, British Columbia, Canadá. Las fracturas discretas fueron mapeadas en los afloramientos, y zonas de fracturas a gran escala (correspondiente a los lineamientos) fueron mapeados a partir de ortofotos e imágenes LANDSAT. Los datos de los afloramientos de las fracturas fueron usados para generar los modelos DFN para estimar la conductividad hidráulica para la matriz de fracturas (K $_{m}$). La conductividad hidráulica en el bloque de la montaña (K $_{mb}$) fue estimada usando modelos DFN a gran escala. Las propiedades de los lineamientos se estimaron con el mejor ajuste de los parámetros para un ensayo de bombeo simulado influenciado por una zona de fractura. Los ángulos de inclinación y las direcciones de los lineamientos desconocidas fueron estimados a partir de los conjuntos de fracturas de pequeña escala. Los valores simulados de K $_{m}$ y K $_{mb}$ oscilaron entre 10$^{–8}$ a 10$^{–7}$ m/s y son mayores en la dirección N–S, coincidiendo con la dirección principal del rumbo de la zona de falla del valle de Okanagan. Los valores de K $_{mb}$ también decrecieron fuera de la falla, lo cual es consistente con el decrecimiento de la densidad de los lineamientos. Los valores de la conductividad hidráulica simulada se comparan bien con aquellos estimados a partir de ensayos de bombeo.由于缺少含水层试验数据以及大小规模各向异性的存在,估计区域裂隙含水层的基岩导水率颇具挑战。本研究提出一种利用离散裂隙网络(DFN)模拟法来估计区域尺度上裂隙基岩含水层的基岩导水率的新方法。该方法在加拿大不列颠哥伦比亚省多山的Okanagan流域进行测试。在露头处对离散裂隙进行绘制,从正射影像和LANDSAT影像中绘制大尺度的裂隙区(相应的轮廓)。露头裂隙数据用于生成DFN模型估计裂隙基质的导水率(K $_{m}$)。山体导水率(K $_{mb}$)用较大尺度的模型估计。通过受裂隙区影响的抽水模拟试验的最佳参数来估计其线性特征。通过小尺度裂隙集合估计未知结构的倾角和倾向。模拟的K $_{m}$和K $_{ mb }$值在10$^{–8}$到10$^{–7}$ m/s间变化,且在南北走向上最高,与Okanagan断层主要受压方向一致。K $_{mb}$值远离断层降低,与线性结构密度减小相一致。模拟的导水率值与抽水试验估计的结果一致。Estimar a condutividade hidráulica do soco de aquíferos fraturados regionais é um desafio, devido à falta de dados de ensaios de caudal e à presença de heterogeneidades a pequena e grande escala. Este estudo fornece uma nova aproximação para estimar a condutividade hidráulica de um aquífero de soco fraturado à escala regional, utilizando a modelação de rede discreta de fraturação (DFN). Esta metodologia é testada na Bacia montanhosa de Okanagan, na Colômbia Britânica, Canadá. As fraturas discretas foram mapeadas em afloramentos, e as zonas de fraturação de maior escala (correspondentes a lineamentos) foram mapeadas a partir de ortofotos e imagens LANDSAT. Os dados de fraturação de afloramentos foram usados para gerar modelos de DFN para estimar a condutividade hidráulica da matriz fraturada (K $_{m}$). A condutividade hidráulica do bloco de montanha (K $_{mb}$) foi estimada utilizando modelos de DFN a maior escala. As propriedades dos lineamentos foram estimadas pelos parâmetros de melhor ajustamento de um ensaio de bombagem simulado influenciado por uma zona de fratura. As direções e as inclinações dos lineamentos foram estimadas a partir dos conjuntos de fraturas de pequena escala. Os valores de K $_{m}$ e de K $_{mb}$ simulados variam entre 10$^{–8}$ e 10$^{–7}$ m/s e são maiores na direção N–S, coincidindo com a principal direção da Zona de Falha do Vale de Okanagan. Os valores de K $_{mb}$ também decrescem com a distância à falha, o que é consistente com a diminuição na densidade de lineamentos. Os valores de condutividade hidráulica simulados são bastante compatíveis com os valores estimados a partir dos ensaios de bombagem.
Starting Page	1081
Ending Page	1100
Page Count	20
File Format	PDF
ISSN	14312174
Journal	Hydrogeology Journal
Volume Number	20
Issue Number	6
e-ISSN	14350157
Language	Portuguese
Publisher	Springer-Verlag
Publisher Date	2012-05-04
Publisher Institution	International Association of Hydrogeologists
Publisher Place	Berlin, Heidelberg
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Crystalline rocks Fractured rocks Numerical modeling Hydraulic conductivity Canada Geology Hydrogeology Waste Water Technology Water Pollution Control Water Management Aquatic Pollution
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Earth and Planetary Sciences Water Science and Technology

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