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