High-velocity flow in a rough fracture

摘要

High-velocity flow in a self-affine channel with a constant perpendicular opening was simulated by solving numerically the Navier-Stokes equations. The resulting flow was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. As a result of inertia, the flow tube consisted of straight sections. Quantitatively, vanishing, weak and strong inertial flow regimes were described by the Darcy, weak inertia and Forchheimer flow equations. Further, a cross-over flow regime was observed from the weak to strong inertia.