dualpermeability
Dual-permeability is a modeling concept used to describe flow and transport in porous media that contain two distinct, interconnected pore networks, typically fractures and the surrounding matrix. In a dual-permeability framework, the fracture network and the matrix are treated as separate continua, each with its own porosity and permeability, and a transfer term governs exchange of fluids and dissolved substances between them.
Mathematically, this approach yields two coupled mass-balance equations, one for the fractures and one for the
The model is used to simulate groundwater flow and transport in fractured rocks and soils with macropores,
Parameter estimation for porosity, permeability, and transfer rates can be challenging and typically requires field data,
Compared with dual-porosity models, dual-permeability allows meaningful flow within both networks, though fracture flow often dominates.