Technical note: Finite element formulations to map discrete fracture elements in three-dimensional groundwater models

<p>Typically, in finite element groundwater models, fractures are represented by two-dimensional triangular or quadrilateral elements. When embedded in a three-dimensional space, the Jacobian matrix governing the transformation from the global three-dimensional space to the local two-dimension...

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Main Author: R. de Rooij
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2025-06-01
Series:Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
Online Access:https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/29/2697/2025/hess-29-2697-2025.pdf
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author R. de Rooij
author_facet R. de Rooij
author_sort R. de Rooij
collection DOAJ
description <p>Typically, in finite element groundwater models, fractures are represented by two-dimensional triangular or quadrilateral elements. When embedded in a three-dimensional space, the Jacobian matrix governing the transformation from the global three-dimensional space to the local two-dimensional space is rectangular and thus not invertible. There exist different approaches to obtain a unique mapping from local to global space even though the Jacobian matrix is not invertible. These approaches are discussed in this study. It is illustrated that all approaches yield the same result and may be applied to curved elements. The mapping of anisotropic hydraulic conductivity tensors for possibly curved fracture elements is also discussed.</p>
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-dbca2adfae474d02b19f17795913bbdf2025-08-20T03:24:52ZengCopernicus PublicationsHydrology and Earth System Sciences1027-56061607-79382025-06-01292697270510.5194/hess-29-2697-2025Technical note: Finite element formulations to map discrete fracture elements in three-dimensional groundwater modelsR. de Rooij0Water Institute, University of Florida, 570 Weil Hall, P.O. Box 116601, Gainesville, FL 32611-6601, USA<p>Typically, in finite element groundwater models, fractures are represented by two-dimensional triangular or quadrilateral elements. When embedded in a three-dimensional space, the Jacobian matrix governing the transformation from the global three-dimensional space to the local two-dimensional space is rectangular and thus not invertible. There exist different approaches to obtain a unique mapping from local to global space even though the Jacobian matrix is not invertible. These approaches are discussed in this study. It is illustrated that all approaches yield the same result and may be applied to curved elements. The mapping of anisotropic hydraulic conductivity tensors for possibly curved fracture elements is also discussed.</p>https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/29/2697/2025/hess-29-2697-2025.pdf
spellingShingle R. de Rooij
Technical note: Finite element formulations to map discrete fracture elements in three-dimensional groundwater models
Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
title Technical note: Finite element formulations to map discrete fracture elements in three-dimensional groundwater models
title_full Technical note: Finite element formulations to map discrete fracture elements in three-dimensional groundwater models
title_fullStr Technical note: Finite element formulations to map discrete fracture elements in three-dimensional groundwater models
title_full_unstemmed Technical note: Finite element formulations to map discrete fracture elements in three-dimensional groundwater models
title_short Technical note: Finite element formulations to map discrete fracture elements in three-dimensional groundwater models
title_sort technical note finite element formulations to map discrete fracture elements in three dimensional groundwater models
url https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/29/2697/2025/hess-29-2697-2025.pdf
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