A computationally efficient approach to modeling contact problems and fracture closure using superposition method

Abstract

Characterizing fracture closure behavior, surface roughness and fracture compliance is crucial in many earth sciences, such as fault zone studies, underground CO2 sequestration, nuclear waste repositories and geothermal energy exploitation. In this study, we present a computationally efficient method to model fracture closure on surface asperities, which can be can be used to quantify and simulate mechanical, hydraulic, and transport properties of subsurface fractures