Characterizing fractured rock for fluid-flow, geomechanical, and paleostress modeling: Methods and preliminary results from Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Barton, Christopher C.; Larsen, Eric W.; Page, William R.; Howard, Thomas M.

doi:10.2172/145208

Cited by 23 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Numerous reports (Barton et al, 1993;Barr et al, 1996;Albin et al, 1997;Mongano et al, 1999) describe the different types of structural discontinuities (e.g., fractures, cooling joints, and faults) observed at Yucca Mountain. Barton et al (1993) explain that the historic evolution of fracture patterns at Yucca Mountain, from initial cooling joint development to subsequent fracturing in response to tectonic stresses, has produced highly-connected fracture networks within the welded tuffs.…”

Section: Lithology and Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

Conceptual evaluation of the potential role of fractures in unsaturated processes at Yucca Mountain

Hinds

Bodvarsson

Nieder-Westermann

2003

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

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A wide array of field observations, in situ testing, and rock and water sampling (and subsequent analyses) within the unsaturated zone of Yucca Mountain demonstrate the importance of fractures to flow and transport in the welded tuffs. The abundance of fractures and the spatial variability in their hydraulic properties, along with the heterogeneity within lithologic formations, make evaluation of unsaturated processes occurring within the potential repository horizon complex. Fracture mapping and field testing show that fractures are well connected, yet considerable variation is seen within and between units comprising the potential repository horizon with regard to fracture trace length, spacing, permeability, and capillarity. These variations have important implications for the distribution and movement of water and solutes through the unsaturated zone. Numerical models designed to assess such phenomena as unsaturated flow, transport, and coupled thermal-hydrological processes each require their own conceptual model for fracture networks, in order to identify the subset of all fractures that is relevant to the particular study. We evaluate several process-dependent conceptual models for fractures and identify the relevant fracture subsets related to these processes.

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Section: Lithology and Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

Conceptual evaluation of the potential role of fractures in unsaturated processes at Yucca Mountain

Hinds

Bodvarsson

Nieder-Westermann

2003

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

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“…Since being identified as a potential site for the permanent disposal of high-level nuclear waste, Yucca Mountain has been a focus of several fracture analyses. Fractures have been investigated at the surface (e.g., Morgan, 1984;Barton et al, 1984Barton et al, , 1993Barton and Larsen, 1985;Sweetkind et al, 1995aSweetkind et al, , 1995bThrockmorton and Verbeek, 1995), in new tunnels (e.g., Albin et al, 1997;Eatman et al, 1997;Mongano et al, 1999), and in boreholes (e.g., Carr, 1992). The early surface analyses used the then-novel approach of clearing pavements of ϳ200 to 250 m 2 ( Fig.…”

Section: Joint Geometry and Originmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the analysis is conducted in volcanic rocks, the results are applicable to faulted sedimentary rocks with elevated fluid pressures. To analyze the origin of this joint system, we have used existing field data (e.g., Morgan, 1984;Barton et al, 1984Barton et al, , 1993; Barton and Larsen, 1985;Sweetkind et al, 1995aSweetkind et al, , 1995bThrockmorton and Verbeek, 1995), newly gathered fieldbased fracture data employing a differential Global Positioning System (GPS) and geographic information system (GIS) approach, new observations of field relationships between joints and volcanogenic features, and numerical modeling of stress-field perturbation during active faulting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Orthogonal jointing during coeval igneous degassing and normal faulting, Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Dunne

Ferrill

Crider

et al. 2003

Geo. Society Am. Bull.

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An orthogonal system of tube-bearing joints constitutes the oldest fractures in the Tiva Canyon Tuff at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The joints formed within a month of ignimbrite deposition, prior to major degassing. The system consists of (1) narrow, persistent, northeast-striking joint swarms with trace lengths typically greater than 5 m and between-joint spacings of less than 20 cm and (2) northwest-striking swarms that have a more en echelon geometry and greater between-joint spacings compared to the northeast-striking swarms. Betweenswarm spacing for both trends is ϳ50 m. Questions concerning the joints include the following: (1) What was the origin of driving stress(es) for formation of the joints, particularly as their orientations were not consistent with the regional stress geometry at the time of their formation? (2) What mechanism caused the horizontal principal stresses to be reoriented so as to yield an orthogonal geometry? (3) What insights can be developed for predicting joint geometry in unexposed rock volumes by understanding joint origin? These questions

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“…Characteristics to distinguish cooling joints (Barton and Larsen, 1986) and tectonic fractures are not easily recognized. Conflicting termination relations also complicate fracture set chronology, origin, and stress history.…”

Section: Fracturesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary three-dimensional discrete fracture model, Tiva Canyon tuff, Yucca Mountain area, Nye County, Nevada

Anna¹

1998

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Characterizing fractured rock for fluid-flow, geomechanical, and paleostress modeling: Methods and preliminary results from Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Cited by 23 publications

References 15 publications

Conceptual evaluation of the potential role of fractures in unsaturated processes at Yucca Mountain

Conceptual evaluation of the potential role of fractures in unsaturated processes at Yucca Mountain

Orthogonal jointing during coeval igneous degassing and normal faulting, Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Preliminary three-dimensional discrete fracture model, Tiva Canyon tuff, Yucca Mountain area, Nye County, Nevada

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