Effective Thermal Conductivity Estimation of Fractured Rock Masses

In this work, effective thermal conductivity (lambda(Eff)) of fractured rock masses was numerically investigated. A two-dimensional Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) model of the fractured rock masses was established based on the statistic results of natural fracture development in a potential area for high level radioactive waste disposal in China. Steady state heat transfer processes in the fractured granite rock masses were numerically simulated using finite element method (FEM). The calculated lambda(Eff) values of the fractured granite rock masses in dry and saturated conditions are 1.99 W/(m K) and 2.31 W/(m K), respectively. Compared with the thermal conductivity of intact granite [lambda(Intact), 2.5 W/(m K)], the drop rates are 20.4% and 7.6%, respectively. Sensitivity analysis was conducted on the main model parameters including fracture density (F-Density), trace length (F-Length), thermal contact resistance (F-TCR), and lambda(Intact). The results indicate the relation between lambda(Eff) and three fracture parameters (F-Density, F-length and F-TCR) can be fitted using power law or negative exponent functions with good consistency. When fracture network parameters remain unchanged, lambda(Eff) is in linear positive correlation to lambda(Intact). The slop of the fitted line is determined by the fracture network parameters. Due to the fact that distribution of generated fractures in different directions are quite uniform, lambda(Eff) did not show significant difference in different directions. On the basis of the above-mentioned results, an estimation model was proposed for the determination of lambda(Eff) of fractured rock masses using P-21 (total length of fracture traces per unit area), F-TCR, and lambda(Intact). The proposed estimation model shows good consistency to the calculated results of FEM model.

Automated summary

In this study, the effective thermal conductivity of fractured rock masses was numerically investigated, revealing a relationship between lambda(Eff) and fracture parameters that can be fitted with power law or negative exponent functions. It was also found that lambda(Eff) is linearly positively correlated with lambda(Intact), with the slope of the fitted line determined by fracture network parameters.