Development and validation of TOUGH-3DEC: A three-dimensional discontinuum-based numerical simulator for coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical analysis

IF 3.3 2区工程技术 Q3 ENERGY & FUELS

Geomechanics for Energy and the Environment Pub Date : 2025-04-05 DOI:10.1016/j.gete.2025.100670

Saeha Kwon, Kwang-Il Kim, Changsoo Lee, Jaewon Lee, Jin-Seop Kim

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The discontinuum-based numerical methods can simulate the coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes in porous media with multiple discontinuities, so it is appropriate to model the mechanical behavior of a fractured host rock under the coupled processes such as a geological repository for high-level radioactive waste. TOUGH-3DEC, a three-dimensional discontinuum-based simulator for the coupled THM analysis, was developed by linking the integral finite difference method TOUGH2 and the distinct element method 3DEC to describe the coupled THM processes in porous media and discontinuous media. TOUGH2 handles the coupled TH analysis through the internal simulation module, while 3DEC performs mechanical analysis based on the constitutive models of porous media and discontinuity, coupling the thermal and hydraulic responses from TOUGH2. The thermal and hydraulic couplings are key processes and should be carefully verified by sufficient cases, so this study performed TM and HM verifications by modelling analytic solutions including the uniaxial consolidation, fracture static opening, and the heating of a hollow cylinder. As comparative validations, two models describing laboratory-scale experiments regarding the HM and TM processes of fractured rock were simulated and compared to the experimental results. The developed TOUGH-3DEC simulator showed sufficient accuracy in reflecting the coupled THM processes of the small-scale discontinuous rock, but still needs to be verified by more complicated and large-scale coupled process problems to be applicable to the demonstration of the field-scale model requiring the coupled THM processes of various geological media, such as a multi-barrier system of a geological repository.

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来源期刊

Geomechanics for Energy and the Environment Earth and Planetary Sciences-Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

CiteScore

5.90

自引率

11.80%

发文量

期刊介绍： The aim of the Journal is to publish research results of the highest quality and of lasting importance on the subject of geomechanics, with the focus on applications to geological energy production and storage, and the interaction of soils and rocks with the natural and engineered environment. Special attention is given to concepts and developments of new energy geotechnologies that comprise intrinsic mechanisms protecting the environment against a potential engineering induced damage, hence warranting sustainable usage of energy resources. The scope of the journal is broad, including fundamental concepts in geomechanics and mechanics of porous media, the experiments and analysis of novel phenomena and applications. Of special interest are issues resulting from coupling of particular physics, chemistry and biology of external forcings, as well as of pore fluid/gas and minerals to the solid mechanics of the medium skeleton and pore fluid mechanics. The multi-scale and inter-scale interactions between the phenomena and the behavior representations are also of particular interest. Contributions to general theoretical approach to these issues, but of potential reference to geomechanics in its context of energy and the environment are also most welcome.