Flow in fractured porous media

The equations governing the flow of fluid through fractured porous media are derived. These equations consist of Darcy's law for fluid flow in the primary pores, equations of motion for fluid flow in the fractures, and two continuity equations. The system of equations is coupled by the interaction of fluid in the primary pores with fluid in the fractures. The coupling terms, which are incorporated in the continuity equations, describe the transient flux of fluid out of the primary pores and into the fractures. The finite element Galerkin method is used to solve this coupled system of equations for transient flow in a confined leaky aquifer. Solutions are obtained for both constant discharge and step drawdown problems. The importance of coupling the primary blocks to the fracture system and the effect of the acceleration term in the equation of motion in the fractures are studied by using this model.