title: A triple-continuum approach for modeling flow and transport processes in fractured rock.
abstract: This paper presents a triple-continuum conceptual model for simulating flow and transport processes in fractured rock. Field data collected from the unsaturated zone of Yucca Mountain, a repository site of high-level nuclear waste, show a large number of small-scale fractures. The effect of these small fractures has not been considered in previous modeling investigations within the context of a continuum approach. A new triple-continuum model (consisting of matrix, small-fracture, and large-fracture continua) has been developed to investigate the effect of these small fractures. This paper derives the model formulation and discusses the basic triple-continuum behavior of flow and transport processes under different conditions, using both analytical solutions and numerical approaches. The simulation results from the site-scale model of the unsaturated zone of Yucca Mountain indicate that these small fractures may have an important effect on radionuclide transport within the mountain.
authors.affiliation: Earth Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS 90-1116, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. YSWu@lbl.gov
authors.forename: Yu-Shu
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Bodvarsson
mesh_terms: D055593:Geological Phenomena; D005844:Geology; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009505:Nevada; D010539:Permeability; D011850:Radioactive Waste; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014872:Water Movements
chemical_list: D011850:Radioactive Waste