Characterisation of material changes during the sealing of water-exposed fractures in clay rock
Description
This study aims to investigate changes in material properties during the sealing of fractures in clay rocks when exposed to water. Key properties such as density, porosity, transport properties, and fracture geometry are assessed using X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) image data and experimental results. The focus is primarily on the material surrounding the fractures, which undergoes significant changes due to the swelling of the clayey material, leading to the closure of fractures.