Three-dimensional inversion of pneumatic tests in fractured rocks

V. V. Vesselinov, S. P. Neuman, W. A. Illman, G. A. Zyvoloski

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

A three-dimensional geostatistically-based numerical inverse model was developed for the interpretation of cross-hole pneumatic tests in unsaturated fractured tuffs at the Apache Leap Research Site (ALRS) in Arizona, USA. The model combines a finite-volume flow simulator, FEHM, an automatic mesh generator, X3D, a parallelized version of an automatic parameter estimator, PEST, and a geostatistical code, GSTAT. The tests are simulated by considering singel-phase airflow through an equivalent stochastic porous continuum. The simulator accounts directly for the ability of all packed-off borehole intervals to store and conduct air through the system. Computations are performed in parallel on a supercomputer using 32 processors. We analyze data from several pneumatic cross-hole tests simultaneously to assess the spatial distribution of air permeability and air-filled porosity throughout the test volume. The analysis amounts to three-dimensional pneumatic 'tomography' or stochastic imaging of the rock, a concept originally proposed in connection with hydraulic cross-hole tests in fractured crystalline rocks by Neuman (1987).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationComputational methods in water resources - Volume 1 - Computational methods for subsurface flow and transport
EditorsL.R. Bentley, J.F. Sykes, C.A. Brebbia, W.G. Gray, G.F. Pinder, L.R. Bentley, J.F. Sykes, C.A. Brebbia, W.G. Gray, G.F. Pinder
PublisherA.A.Balkema
Pages307-314
Number of pages8
ISBN (Print)9058091244
StatePublished - 2000
EventComputational Methods in Water Resources XIII - Calgary, Canada
Duration: Jun 25 2000Jun 29 2000

Other

OtherComputational Methods in Water Resources XIII
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityCalgary
Period6/25/006/29/00

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences
  • General Engineering
  • General Environmental Science

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