
On the Influence of Varying Aperture On Flow Mechanisms In An Initially Dry Vertical Smooth Parallel Fracture Under Free-Draining Conditions
It is essential to understand the properties and behaviour of rock mass, mainly in a hydrogeological context as well as various geotechnical applications. However, most of these processes occur as bulk fluid flow in the unsaturated zone and single fracture flow becomes imperative in understanding these processes, including, the identification of fluid flow mechanisms. The research presented in this paper investigates the influence of aperture, in a single smooth parallel plate model, on flow mechanisms under conditions of variable saturation. Visual experiments illustrate that liquid migration and to a lesser extent flow structures, are affected by varying the fracture aperture.