Rock Fracture Network Image Analysis

Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB) identified the need for a better understanding of radionuclide transport and retention processes in fractured crystalline rock. To present fracture network reasonable, we setup some models to characterize the network, based on the models, we used best fit Ferret method to auto-determine fracture zone, then, skeleton fractures to obtain endpoints, junctions, holes, particles, and branches. Based on the new parameters and a part of common parameters, the fracture network density, porosity, connectivity and complexities can be obtained, and fracture network is characterized. In the following, we first present a basic consideration and the basic parameters for fractures (primary study of characteristics of rock fractures), then, setup a model for fracture network analysis (fracture network analysis), consequently to use the model to analyse fracture network in different images (two dimensional fracture network analysis based on slices), and finally give conclusions and suggestions