Discrete Fracture Network (DFN)

With the DFN module, the fracture population embedded inside a rock mass is viewed as a set of discrete finite sized fractures. By default, the discrete fractures are {line segments in 2D; planar disks in 3D}.

The DFN module provides an efficient tool to generate and manipulate fractures. The main features are:
  • import/export of fractures from Itasca and Fracman files
  • addition of deterministic fractures and generation of stochastic fractures
  • intersections between fractures, intersections between fractures and outcrop/tunnel surfaces and borehole lines, scanline map calculation
  • computation of clusters and connectivity properties
  • fracture simplification methods
  • definition of mechanical properties for fractures and assignment of these properties to model components
  • visualization of fractures, outcrop/tunnel trace maps, stereonets
  • FISH access providing the ability for custom creation, analyses and manipulations
Based on these features, the following applications are possible:
  • creation of site-descriptive sets of fractures
  • calibration of fracture models based on 2D/1D data
  • derivation of DFN statistical properties
  • structural analysis of fractures in relation to the resulting mechanical properties
  • easy creation of numerical models of fractured rocks for mechanical analyses