On the applicability of connectivity metrics to rough fractures under normal stress

Rough rock fractures have complex geometries which result in highly heterogeneous aperture fields. To accurately estimate the permeability of such fractures, heterogeneity fields must be quantified. In this study single rough is for first time parametrized by connectivity metrics, quantify how connected bounds a field are. We use 3000 individual realizations synthetic with different statistical parameters and compute three metrics based on percolation theory each realization. The sensitivity respect to determining parameter, i.e cutoff threshold, studied correlation between computed presented. results show that Θ metric predicts higher accuracy. All provide better estimations when larger value chosen as threshold. Overall, elucidates using provides less expensive alternative fluid flow simulations an estimation fracture desired. • Applicability studied. correlate well permeability. Higher thresholds more accurate prediction. highest