Dispersion of inert particles in a rough fracture.

International audienceThis paper aims to show a transport model of either smooth or rough fractures. These are numerically generated by means of a fractal surface method. In order to study dispersion processes, a 3D transport model is used. This model is based on a random walk that takes into account both the sizes of the particles and the size exclusion effect of particles on the fracture walls. Simulations are carried out to study dispersion processes in which transport cases in either smooth or rough fractures and transport of several sizes particles are involved. (C) 2001 Academie des sciences / Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS