Flow through fissured porous media with deformable matrix

Abstract

Abstract An approach, which is based on the double porosity concept and takes into account pore deformation, has been presented to derive a set of coupled differential equations governing the behaviour of fissured porous media. This approach has resulted in a set of non‐linear (variable coefficient) differential equations. Various coefficients involved in the formulation have been explicitly defined in terms of measurable physical parameters. The finite element technique has been employed as the numerical tool for the solution of these equations. The results based on the proposed non‐linear formulation have been compared with those of previously presented linear (constant coefficient) formulations. It is found that, in relatively rigid formations, the linearity assumption is quite reasonable and can successfully model the behaviour of fissured porous media. However, in very deformable formations, the linearity assumption could lead to a significant level of error in the numerical solutions.