Reliable knowledge of the properties of fractured bedrock systems is required when attempting to model thermo-hydro-mechanical processes relevant to geological, geomorphological and geohazards applications (e.g. quantification of surface weathering and erosion rates, rock slope instability and related geomorphic impacts, fractured reservoir exploitation, subsidence due to drainage, geothermal energy exploitation, seismicity, rock engineering).
Rock masses can behave as continuum or discontinuum media depending on the properties of intact rock type, scale of consideration, mechanical anisotropy, occurrence of discrete structures (e.g. brittle fault zones), and stress. Despite recent advances in the characterization (e.g. LiDAR, digital photogrammetry, subsurface techniques) and modelling of fractured media (e.g. Discrete Fracture Networks), gathering their properties as inputs to hydro-geomechanical modelling is still a challenge. Moreover, rock mass characterization in geologically difficult conditions (e.g. heterogeneous/weak, tectonically deformed, strongly anisotropic or damaged rock masses) requires refinements of existing characterization approaches and the development of new ones.

This session invites innovative contributions from different communities on: 1) characterization of intact rock, discontinuities and fractured rock masses by laboratory, field, geophysical and remote sensing techniques; 2) monitoring of hydro-mechanical coupled processes in rock masses; 3) quantitative geometrical and hydro-mechanical coupled modelling of discrete and equivalent continuum rock masses (e.g. Discrete Fracture Networks, Synthetic Rock Mass, back-calculation of experimental data); 4) improved rock mass classification and parameterization methods focusing on geologically complex rock masses; 5) geological, geomorphological, engineering and geohazard applications.

Solicited speaker:
Dr. Jonny Rutqvist
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab - USA