Evolving geometries, topologies, and apertures in fracture networks: Quantitative insights from lattice modeling

Fracture networks are crucial in controlling rock mass permeability. Some of the important features of the fracture networks like the density, interconnectivity, spatial distribution, and fracture apertures determine the success of the subsurface operations. Fracture networks can be studied with analogue studies, physical experiments, and numerical modeling. In this study, we analyse the evolution of a two-dimensional fracture network under gravitational and shear loads using the lattice modeling capabilities of the microstructural modeling environment “Elle”. The simulation cases include varying gravitational loads and Young’s moduli of the formations. The topological progression of the modeled fracture network from isolated to interconnected nodes depicts a realistic network evolution process. The study shows that the rock stiffness exhibits a direct correlation with the number of fractures influencing the average aperture size of the network. A higher gravity load resulted in the development of a sparse fracture network. Stiffer rock models also showed an early onset of fracturing.