A time-stepping finite element method for analysis of contaminant transport in fractured porous media

This paper describes the development of a finite element method for analysing contaminant transport in double-porosity geomaterials using a time-stepping approach. In many cases, double-porosity models may be used to represent fractured rock formations and fissured soils. A distinctive feature of utilizing this kind of model is that it is not necessary to have an intimate knowledge of the nature, distribution and properties of individual fractures and fracture arrangement since the fracture geometry and details are considered only in an averaged or equivalent continuum sense. The flux exchange that occurs between the fluid in the fractures and in the solid matrix is represented by a linear heriditary process. This has the consequence that in order to carry the solution forward from time t to t + Δt, it is necessary to know and to store the complete contaminant history up to time t. This paper shows that all the hereditary information necessary to carry the solution forward is contained in the values of certain hereditary variables at time t so that it is not necessary to store the complete time history and consequently a more efficient numerical process can be developed.