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Variably saturated flow through discrete open fractures: Experimental contributions using Geotechnical Centrifuge Modelling
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2019.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2019
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| _version_ | 1867613535032311808 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Van Rooy, J.L. (Jan Louis) |
| author_browse | Van Rooy, J.L. (Jan Louis) |
| author_facet | Van Rooy, J.L. (Jan Louis) |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2019 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2019. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/70599 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:37:41.144Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2019 |
| publishDateRange | 2019 |
| publishDateSort | 2019 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/70599 Variably saturated flow through discrete open fractures: Experimental contributions using Geotechnical Centrifuge Modelling Van Rooy, J.L. (Jan Louis) u10436121@tuks.co.za Dippenaar, Matthys Alois Jones, Brendon Ronald UCTD Variably saturated flow Discrete open fractures Fractured rock hydraulics Geotechnical centrifuge modelling Fluid flow in fractures Unsaturated flow Natural and agricultural sciences theses SDG-06 Natural and agricultural sciences theses SDG-09 Natural and agricultural sciences theses SDG-11 Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2019. Implications of improved understanding of partially saturated flow in jointed rock masses are numerous, especially given the complexity, heterogeneity and anisotropy of the intermediate fractured vadose zone. One such implication is the quantification of water movement for engineering purposes. This thesis aims to contribute to the understanding of variably saturated flow through discrete open fractures as it applies to rock engineering and geotechnical engineering applications. The initial phase comprises the analyses of results from Lugeon tests conducted at De Hoop Dam that guide a subsequent experimental phase by identifying field parameters and relationships that influence variably saturated flow processes. The series of flow visualisation experiments are developed using transparent smooth parallel fracture replicas with differing flow rates and inclinations, modelled in a geotechnical centrifuge. The findings show that the geotechnical centrifuge is a viable experimental tool for the replication of variably saturated fracture flow mechanisms. Additionally, it was found that preferential flow occupies the minority of the cross-sectional area despite the flux, and that flow becomes a matter of the continuity principle requiring substantially higher flow rates given the very low degree of saturation. Furthermore, these preferential paths are characterised by non-Darcian flow, which can be successfully evaluated using the Forchheimer relationship. The relevance of how flow occurs through fractures at partial saturation in the engineering context is understated, especially given the quest to achieve better quantification of in-situ tests during site investigations. The results prove that using common Darcian-based empirical correlations to define hydraulic conductivities from insitu tests is cautioned. Furthermore, these volume-effective approaches do not contribute to fundamental research and require a deeper understanding of the small-scale processes in the intermediate fractured vadose zone. The design of infrastructure therefore cannot be optimised without a thorough understanding of the complex flow conditions in natural and engineered rock masses. bs2026 Geology PhD Unrestricted SDG-06: Clean water and sanitation SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure SDG-11: Sustainable cities and communities 2019-07-08T09:46:59Z 2019-07-08T09:46:59Z 2019/04/11 2019 Thesis Jones, BR 2019, Variably saturated flow through discrete open fractures: Experimental contributions using Geotechnical Centrifuge Modelling, PhD Thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/70599> A2019 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/70599 en © 2019 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Variably saturated flow Discrete open fractures Fractured rock hydraulics Geotechnical centrifuge modelling Fluid flow in fractures Unsaturated flow Natural and agricultural sciences theses SDG-06 Natural and agricultural sciences theses SDG-09 Natural and agricultural sciences theses SDG-11 Variably saturated flow through discrete open fractures: Experimental contributions using Geotechnical Centrifuge Modelling |
| title | Variably saturated flow through discrete open fractures: Experimental contributions using Geotechnical Centrifuge Modelling |
| title_full | Variably saturated flow through discrete open fractures: Experimental contributions using Geotechnical Centrifuge Modelling |
| title_fullStr | Variably saturated flow through discrete open fractures: Experimental contributions using Geotechnical Centrifuge Modelling |
| title_full_unstemmed | Variably saturated flow through discrete open fractures: Experimental contributions using Geotechnical Centrifuge Modelling |
| title_short | Variably saturated flow through discrete open fractures: Experimental contributions using Geotechnical Centrifuge Modelling |
| title_sort | variably saturated flow through discrete open fractures experimental contributions using geotechnical centrifuge modelling |
| topic | UCTD Variably saturated flow Discrete open fractures Fractured rock hydraulics Geotechnical centrifuge modelling Fluid flow in fractures Unsaturated flow Natural and agricultural sciences theses SDG-06 Natural and agricultural sciences theses SDG-09 Natural and agricultural sciences theses SDG-11 |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/70599 |