Modeling fracture flow with a stochastic discrete fracture network: Calibration and validation: 2. The transport model

Abstract

As part of the development of a methodology for investigating flow and transport in fractured rocks, a large‐scale experiment was recently performed at Fanay‐Augères, France. In a companion paper (Cacas et al., this issue) (paper 1) the results of the flow measurements were analyzed. In this paper, the results of the tracer experiments are interpreted. A particle following is coupled to the flow model, described in paper 1. Microscopic dispersion in the fractures and retardation effects due to unevenness of the flow paths are taken into account. The transport model is calibrated on in situ tracer tests, whereas the parameters of the hydraulic model were initially fitted on structural and hydraulic measurements (paper 1). The dispersive properties of the model are reasonably comparable to those of the real site. It tends to confirm the validity of the preliminary hydraulic calibration of the model and thus to validate further the approach used to simulate hydraulic and transport phenomena.