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Relating Hydraulic-Electrical-Elastic Properties of Natural Rock Fractures at Elevated Stress and Associated Transient Changes of Fracture Flow
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  • Kazuki Sawayama,
  • Takuya Ishibashi,
  • Fei Jiang,
  • Takeshi Tsuji,
  • Yasuhiro Fujimitsu
Kazuki Sawayama
Kyushu University, Kyushu University, Kyushu University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Takuya Ishibashi
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
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Fei Jiang
Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi University
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Takeshi Tsuji
Kyushu University, Kyushu University, Kyushu University
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Yasuhiro Fujimitsu
Kyushu University, Kyushu University, Kyushu University
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Abstract

Monitoring the hydraulic properties within subsurface fractures is vitally important in the contexts of geoengineering developments and earthquakes. Geophysical observations are promising tools for remote determination of subsurface hydraulic properties; however, quantitative interpretations are hampered by the paucity of relevant geophysical data for fractured rock masses. This study explored simultaneous changes in hydraulic and geophysical properties of natural rock fractures with increasing normal stress and correlated these property changes through coupling experiments and digital fracture simulations. We show that electrical resistivity is linked with permeability and flow area regardless of fracture roughness, whereas elastic wave velocity is roughness dependent. We also are able to categorize fracture flow patterns as aperture-dependent, aperture-independent, or disconnected flows, with transitions at specific stress levels. Elastic wave velocity offers potential for detecting the transition between aperture-dependent flow and aperture-independent flow, and resistivity is sensitive to detect the connection/disconnection of the fracture flow.
May 2021Published in Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering volume 54 issue 5 on pages 2145-2164. 10.1007/s00603-021-02391-5