Potential Utilizations of 3D Printed Fracture Network Model

Abstract

Understanding flow mechanisms in fractured media is essential for geoscientific research and geological development industries. This study used 3D printed fracture networks in order to control fracture distributions inside the sample. The accuracy and appropriateness of creating samples by the 3D printer was investigated by using an X-ray CT scanner. The CT scan images suggest that the 3D printer is able to reproduce complex 3D spatial distributions of fracture networks. Flow experiments with the 3D-printed samples were conducted to obtain tracer response curves. This study compared with results from numerical simulations based on a continuum model with the same fracture network. Both experimental and simulation tracer response curves showed truncated power-law distributions. However, there was over two orders difference of travel time because of the oversimplified flow modeling in a continuum model and limitations of the 3D printer technology. This methodology will allow us to validate theoretical models and numerical simulations.