Publications Details
Calculation of discrete fracture flow paths in dual-continuum models
Movement of water through fractures plays an important role in performance assessments of the potential high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The magnitude and frequency of water flowing through individual fractures impacts predictions of the near-field environment and waste-package corrosion. Discrete fracture flow paths, referred to as ``weeps``, have been derived from dual continuum models of fracture flow. The required parameters include the geometric fracture spacing, an assumed width of each weep, and a scaling factor that accounts for reduced flow between fracture and matrix elements in dual continuum models. The formulation provides a convenient means to determine discrete weep spacing and flow rates that are mathematically consistent with the dual continuum model. Specific applications and examples related to seepage into drifts are also discussed.